Boye M. Odom

Lecturer in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at The University of New Mexico

Statement of Intent

I am committed to excellence in undergraduate physics education. I seek to improve physics education by staying involved with the physics education community and by promoting the dissemination and implementation of the results of physics education research.

Current Interests

Learning and developing uses of computer technology and web resources in teaching and communication; applying the results of current physics education research, including the use of interactive engagement methods and new curricular materials; shepherding a proposal to incorporate microcomputers into the laboratory curriculum at the University of New Mexico.

Education

· M.S., Physics, University of Texas at El Paso, 1981

Thesis results published: B.M. Odom and D. E. Bowen, Ultrasonic Absorption in Lithium-Methylamine Solutions, Journal of Physical Chemistry, 88, 3904(1984).

· B.S., Physics, University of Texas at El Paso, 1978.

· Additional graduate hours, University of Texas at Austin, 1981-1983.

Teaching Experience

1997-1998-Visiting Lecturer, Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of New Mexico (on leave from Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute)

During my stay at UNM I have written several new lab exercises and rewritten a number of others. I have worked with the graduate teaching assistants on laboratory and student issues. I have gained a knowledge of the operation of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. I have maintained contact with my colleagues at TVI and am a natural bridge between the departments at UNM and TVI. I have proposed and begun to implement a plan to revitalize the undergraduate lab curriculum. My plan includes both microcomputer-based labs developed at Tufts University and Dickinson College as well as Van Heuvelen's "Experiment Problems".

1986-1997-Instructor of Physics, Department of Arts & Sciences, Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute.

As TVI's first physics instructor, I had the pleasure of setting up an entire program from scratch. I developed and taught every physics course at TVI: Physics 102 (survey course for non-majors); Physics 151/152 (algebra/trig based sequence); Physics 160/161/262 (calculus based sequence); Physics 153L, 163L, 154L (labs). I chose and ordered essentially all demonstration and lab equipment associated with the above courses (about 6000 items on two campuses), working with various vendors and purchasing agents. I was responsible for class scheduling and coordinating faculty on curriculum and textbook issues.

I thoroughly enjoyed my students as I developed my craft and consistently received very good student reviews.(http://www.phys.unm.edu/~mickey/scrapbook)

I stayed current with physics education research and maintained professional contacts by attending national conferences and workshops. I implemented many of the things I learned at these conferences.

After attending one NSF workshop, with the cooperation and consent of my colleagues, I implemented microcomputer-based labs at TVI. I began to incorporate the computer in my lecture classes and encouraged and helped my colleagues to do the same. I experimented with various interactive engagement methods including group worksheets and group recitations. I used material from Van Heuvelen's ALPS , CE/OCS Study Guide and ActivPhysics, Priscilla Law's Workshop Physics, D'Alessandris' Spiral Mechanics, and Chabay and Sherwood's Electric and Magnetic Interactions.

1981-1983-Teaching Assistant, University of Texas at Austin. Set up and taught freshman labs.

1978-1981-Teaching Assistant, University of Texas at El Paso. Set up and taught freshman labs.

Perkins Grant Recipient(1996)

My proposal was funded at $21,330 for two Macintosh computers and two In Focus projection systems for use in physics instruction.

Participant-NSF Sponsored Activities For Two Year College Faculty

June 1997-Introductory Physics Conference II

June 1996-Introductory Physics Conference I

September 1993-Microcomputer Based Lab Workshop II

June 1993-Conceptual Exercise/Overview-Case Study Workshop II

March 1992-Conceptual Exercise/Overview-Case Study Workshop I

October 1991-Microcomputer Based Lab Workshop I

Presenter

"Computers in Physics and Astronomy at TVI: Applications in Various Disciplines," presented with Geoff Burkes at the 7th Annual Community College Faculty Conference in Ruidoso, May 1996.

"Digital Video - It's easy on the Mac!" and "Internet Research or How to Find What You Need" presented at the TVI Development Conference, March 1996.

"Microcomputer Based Physics Labs at Albuquerque TVI" presented at Innovations in Teaching Conference at TVI, March 1994.

Computer

Having set up and networked physics labs on two campuses at TVI, I have gained familiarity in using and networking Macintosh computers and using various software.

General: Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint; Adobe Photoshop, PageMill; At Ease; Anarchie.

Physics: Graphical Analysis, Data Logger, MacMotion, MacTemp, Sound, VideoGraph, Interactive Physics, WaveMaker, Physics Explorer, Voyager, EM Field