Research in Physics Education

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Research Interests Research Experience Research Skills Publications, Invited and Contributed Papers, and Grants

Research Interests:

Problem Solving and Decision Making: novice vs. expert; female vs. male; inquiry-based problem solving

Evaluation: How do novices' and experts' problem solving methods differ (if at all)? Are there any gender differences in physics problem solving, and if so, are there any patterns or categories of problems best solved by one (or both) group(s)? How prevalent is inquiry-based problem solving, and how effective is this approach? How can inquiry-based problem solving be encouraged both inside and outside of class?

Curriculum Development and Assessment

Development/Assessment: How can Active Hyperlink Environments Around Decisions (AHEAD) in Physics* help students assess their knowledge of physics and how can Active Hyperlink Environments Around Decisions (AHEAD) in Physics* help instructors assess what students are learning from lecture, recitation, or lab. Can Active Hyperlink Environments Around Decisions (AHEAD) in Physics*, combined with other successful, non-traditional physics education tools (i.e. Peer Instruction, context-rich problems, etc.), improve students' understanding of physics?

*Formerly called Choose Your Own Adventure Physics (see dissertation)

Metacognition and Epistemology

Theoretical underpinnings of learning introductory physics: How do students construct theories on learning introductory physics? How do they use these existing meta-structures to perform homework problems/exercises, conduct laboratory experiments, and prepare for exams? How do students know they have truly learned a concept, enough to reproduce it on an exam, time-in and time-out?

Research Experience:

	Semiclassical Quantization Conditions in Supersymmetric Quantum Mechanics, with Professor Akira Inomata, Fall 1992-Spring 1993. Mathematical physics research employing WKB, CBC, and Inomata-Junker Approximation Methods.
	Quantum Confinement of Cadmium Sulfide Selenide Crystallites embedded in a Silicate Glass Matrix (NSF-REU Program), with Professor Peter Persans (RPI), Summer 1993-Fall 1993. Investigating quantum-size effects in semiconductors. Laboratory techniques: absorption spectroscopy, photoluminescence, and Raman scattering.
	The Magnetic Quantum Top Problem, with Professor Akira Inomata, Spring 1994. Application of the CBC and Inomata-Junker Approximation Method to quantum systems.
	Visual Transduction and Ion Channels, with Professor Anita Zimmerman, Fall 1996-Spring 1997. Exploring molecular and functional studies of ion channels, and visual transduction mechanisms. Laboratory techniques: patch-clamp experiments and electrophoresis.
	Modeling Mechanical Properties of Materials, with Professor L.B. Freund, Fall 1997-Spring 1998. Mechanical phenomena involved in fabrication, reliability and performance of solid-state electronic devices, using FEM analysis.
	Pathways to Learning and Teaching Physics, with Professors Pelcovits, Targan, Brown, and Cummings, Summer 1998 - 2001. Research in physics education exploring: non-traditional modes of physics pedagogy; novice and expert problem solving; assessment; cognitive modes of learning; problem solving patterns; and, AHEAD: Active Hyperlink Environments Around* Decisions (a decision-making problem solving tool created by C. Koleci).
	Investigation of Student Misconceptions as a Form of Problem Solving Assessment, and development of AHEAD*, Spring 2002 – current.
	Using Examples to Enhance the Transfer of Introductory Physics Knowledge: Investigating Exam Preparation in Introductory Mechanics and Introductory Electricity and Magnetism, Fall 2002 – current. Formerly called Choose Your Own Adventure Physics*

Research Skills (current):

	Qualitative Analysis: Ethnography, Interview Transcriptions and Coding.
	Quantitative Analysis: Statistical Analysis, ANOVA, ANCOVA.
	Web Design and Computer Programming.
	Computing Software: SPSS, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Power Point.

Publications, Invited and Contributed Papers, and Grants:

	Koleci, C., Suparmi, A., Inomata, A; "Semiclassical Quantization of the Gendenshtein Systems", in Proceedings of the International Conference on Path Integrals in Physics, eds. Virulh Sa-yakanit, et. Al (World Scientific, Singapore) pp.127.
	Koleci, C., "Exploration of Supersymmetry-Inspired Semiclassical Quantization Methods", J. Undergrad. Research, University at Albany, State University of New York.
	Koleci, C., Pelcovits, R., Targan, D., Brown, P., "Introducing Choose Your Own Adventure Physics", AAPT Summer Meeting, Guelph, Canada (Contributed Talk/Paper), July 2000.
	Koleci, C., "Inquiry Based Problem Solving in Introductory Physics", Ph.D. Thesis, Brown University, Providence, RI, May 2001.
	Koleci, C., "On Teaching the Right Hand Rule," in preparation for publication.
	Koleci, C., “Inquiry Based Problem Solving,” Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Physics Department (Invited Talk/Paper), May 2001.
	Koleci, C., Non-traditional Techniques in Physics Education, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Physics Department (Invited Talk/Paper), September 2001.
	Koleci, C., Introductory Physics Problem Solving at Brown University: Pathways to Teaching and Learning Physics, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Physics Department (Invited Talk/Paper), October 2001.
	Koleci, C., CYOAP: An Innovative Approach to Physics Pedagogy, AAPT Winter Meeting, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Contributed Paper), January 2002.
	Koleci, C., Innovations in Physics Pedagogy, SUNY Oswego, Physics Department (Invited Talk/Paper), February 2002.
	Koleci, C., Pathways to Learning and Teaching Physics, University of Maine, Orono, Physics Department (Invited Talk/Paper), February 2002.
	Koleci, C., Inquiry-based Problem Solving, Southern Connecticut State University, Physics Department (Invited Talk/Paper), March 2002.
	Koleci, C., Innovative Approaches in Introductory Physics Education, Western Michigan University, Physics Department (Invited Talk/Paper), March 2002.
	Koleci, C., Translations, Rotations, and Innovations in Physics Pedagogy, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Physics Department (Invited Talk/Paper), April 2002.
	Koleci, C., Introducing Physics PRISMs, AAPT Summer Meeting, Boise, Idaho, Contributed Talk/Paper, August 2002.
	Koleci, C., Investigation of Student Misconceptions in Introductory Physics, NCSSSMST Conference 2002, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Invited Workshop, October 2002.
	Koleci, C., Investigating Sample Exams, AAPT Winter Meeting, Austin, Texas, Contributed Talk/Paper, January 2003.
	Koleci, C., Priming and Assessment in Introductory Physics Education, Invited talk, University of Rhode Island, March 2003.
	Quinn, P., Henry, M., Koleci, C., The Project-based Learning Community, a presentation at the International Enrico Fermi School of Physics Education Research (Varenna, Italy), July 2003.
	Koleci, C., Using Examples to Enhance the Transfer of Introductory Physics Knowledge, submitted to the International Enrico Fermi Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings, August 2003.
	Koleci, C., Is Analogical Reasoning Right on Target, AAPT Physics Education Research Conference, Madison, WI, Contributed Talk/Paper, August 2003.
	Koleci, C., A New Faculty Member's Past Reflection and Future Outlook, AAPT Summer Meeting, Madison, WI, Invited Talk/Paper, August 2003.
	Koleci, C., Chretien, C., Turner, W., Using Examples to Promote Transfer in Introductory Mechanics, AAPT Winter Meeting, Miami Beach, FL, Contributed Talk/Paper, January 2004.
	Nasto, R., Koleci, C., Visual Physics Advancement Project, AAPT Winter Meeting, Miami Beach, FL, Contributed Talk/Paper, January 2004.
	Liao, S., Koleci, C., Belcher, J., Dori, J., Dourmashkin, P., Assessing the Effectiveness of Visualizations in Electromagnetism, AAPT Summer Meeting, Sacramento, CA, Contributed Talk/Paper, August 2004.
	Koleci, C., Sample Exams and Transfer in Introductory Mechanics, AAPT Summer Meeting, Sacramento, CA, PERC, Contributed Poster/Paper in Review, August 2004.
	WPI Educational Development Council Grant: Investigation of Student Misconceptions as a Form of Problem Solving Assessment, February 2002.
	NSF CCLI, Joint Collaboration with Brown University: Context-Rich, Interactive, Science, Teaching And Learning Systems (CRISTALS), February 2002.

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