Noah Finkelstein's Research / Papers:

Below are a variety of research interests which, as mentioned on my disclaimer page, are intertwined with both my teaching and community based projects. Thus, I take seriously the university's mission to pursue excellence in research, teaching and community service. Then again, what do I know?

Theoretical studies of what it means to learn in (a physics) context.

These musings are the first steps in unravelling the question, why is it that teaching is such an effective way of learning?

"Learning physics in context: a study of student learning (about electricity and magnetism)" LCHC technical report 2002-XXXX - full piece available upon request.

"Context in the Context of Physics and Learning," PERC Proceedings, PERC Publishing, Rochester, NY July 2001, pp 1-4. (in PDF)

Creation of model environments which promote learning physics

"Teaching and learning physics: A model for coordinating physics instruction, outreach, and research" LCHC technical report 2001-XXXX -abstract or full piece in PDF

"When the Classroom Isn’t in School: The Construction of Scientific Knowledge in an After-School Setting" with Margret A. Gallego. To appear in “Establishing Scientific Classroom Discourse Communities: Multiple Voices of Research on
Teaching and Learning” Edited by Randy Yerrick and Wolff-Michael Roth, Lawrence Erlbaum

Studies of student learning in traditional lecture courses (Physics 1)

Physics 1 Laboratories Reformed, Physics Education Reesarch Group, UCSD, technical report. (to be posted).

(student paper) The Effects of Classroom Structure on Student Learning in Introductory Physics

Studies of instituional organizations and how these structures shape educational environments

"Who Cares About Postdocs Anyway? Evaluating the National Science Foundation's Postdoctoral Fellowships in Science, Mathematics, Engineering and Technology Education," with Julie Libarkin. LCHC technical report 2002-XXXX. abstract or full document

"Theory and Practice of Combining, School, Community, and University to Promote Physics," with Omar Clay. A talk presented at the Center for Research in Edcuational Equity Assessment and Teaching Excellence at UCSD, April 2002

Some of my not all too distant work in laser physics and spectroscopy:

"High Signal-to-Noise Detection of Rotational Raman-Scattering Through Refluorescent and Dispersive Atomic Filters,"with R.B. Miles, Z. Tang, S.Zaidi, and A. Yalin in Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, Nikolai Ivanovich Koroteev Special Memorial Issue, 31(8-9) Sept 13, 2000.

"A Dispersion Filter for Spectral and Spatial Resolution of Pure Rotational Raman Scattering," withA.P. Yalin, and R.B. Miles, in Optics Letters, 23 (20), Oct 15, 1998.

"Frequency-locked light scattering: real-time Doppler velocimetry with closed-loop feedback control," with J.H. Grinstead, and W.R. Lempert, in Applied Optics, 37 (9), 1617, March 20, 1998Applied Optics, 37 (9), 1617, March 20, 1998

Student work:

M Polityka: AAPT National Award Winner of the Lotze Prize:

The Effects of Classroom Structure on Student Learning in Introductory Physics

Returns:

UCSD > LCHC > NF's Home Page