Adaptable research-based materials for teaching quantum mechanics

Abstract

We have developed a complete collection of freely available instructional materials to assist faculty in creating a student-centered quantum mechanics (QM) class that engages students while supporting them in developing both sense-making and calculational skills. Our materials are grounded in research on students' understanding of quantum mechanics and are intended to be adaptable to a variety of instructional settings and faculty styles or preferences. They were designed for a spins-first instructional paradigm and include a set of learning goals, concept (“clicker”) questions, pre-lecture surveys, and homework and exam questions, along with example lecture notes from three instructors at three different institutions. In this work, we describe what active learning can look like in the upper-division as well as describe each of the instructional tools and provide a few representative examples. We also discuss how these materials are used at each of our institutions, illustrating how they may be adapted for use at different institutions.