Cosmology and Particle Astrophysics and Introduction to Flipped Classroom

Edvard Mörtsell

Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics FK7050

Cosmology and Particle Astrophysics syllabus

The course gives an introduction to

• the (particle) standard model

• general theory of relativity

• Big Bang cosmology

• early-time thermodynamics

• the cosmic microwave background

• structure formation

• inflation theory

• cosmological parameters

• gravitational lensing

• gravitational radiation

Information

• Literature: Cosmology and Particle Astrophysics, Bergström& Goobar, 2:nd Edition, Springer (2004)

• Homepages:

http://staff.fysik.su.se/~edvard/Cosmology/Cosmology.html

(Schedule, recommended problems etc.)

http://www.fysik.su.se/utbildning

(FK7050)

www.scalable-learning.com

(Filmed lectures)

Peer-instruction

• Teaching method that involves flipping the traditional classroom• information transfer is moved out of the classroom

• information assimilation and applications are moved into the classroom

• Students do pre-class readings and online lectures, including answering questions

• In-class, the instructor engages students with conceptual questions, problems etc.

Louis Deslauriers et al. (2011)One week experiment with 538 quantum mechanics students• 50 % had 3 hours of lectures led by an experienced teacher• 50 % had 3 hours of peer-instruction

David Black-Schaffer (Uppsala)

Flipped Classroom (FC)

Practicalities

• Online lectures (watch at least 24 hours before FC-session)

• Answer quiz questions in online lectures (not used for grading)

• FC-sessions: Peer-instruction• Work on problems• Discuss conceptual questions

• Active participation gives bonus points on written exam

• Increased student activity at problem solving (PS) sessions

• The scheduled events are FC and PS sessions

Online lectures and quizzes

• Scalable Learning (http://scalable-learning.com)

• Watch wherever you want

• Pause, rewind etc

• Make Note

• Ask a Question

• I’m Confused

• Quiz questions

Flipped classroom (FC) sessions

• Peer-review of questions and confusions from online lecture

• Work on concepts and problems

• Active participation key to success

• Useful things to bring are the text book, a computer, a device with internet connection, pen, paper, calculator etc.

Problem solving (PS) sessions

• List of recommended problems

• Solve and discuss problems and strategies in groups

• Do not expect Axel to supplysolutions

Axel Widmark

Bonus points

• Active participation = watching online lectures, answering quizzesand participating in FC-sessions for at least 10 (out of 12) occasions

• This will earn you 3 bonus points on the exam, corresponding to approximately one grading step, e.g. B → A