Surveying Instructors' Attitudes and Approaches to Teaching Quantum Mechanics

TL;DR

This survey explores instructors' attitudes and teaching approaches in quantum mechanics, revealing diverse perspectives and challenges, which can inform the development of research-based educational tools.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of instructors' views and practices in quantum mechanics education through qualitative survey data.

Findings

Varied instructor goals for quantum mechanics courses

Common challenges faced in teaching the subject

Differences between instructors' own learning and teaching approaches

Abstract

Understanding instructor attitudes and approaches to teaching quantum mechanics can be helpful in developing research-based learning tools. Here we discuss the findings from a survey in which 13 instructors reflected on issues related to quantum mechanics teaching. Topics included opinions about the goals of a quantum mechanics course, general challenges in teaching the subject, student preparation for the course, comparison between their own learning of quantum mechanics vs. how they teach it and the extent to which contemporary topics are incorporated into the syllabus.