Zhuguangtian

Postdoc in Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China (Summer 2011 – Spring 2013)

Ph.D. in Physics, Specialized in Physics Education

University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA (Fall 2007 – Spring 2011)

B.S. in Physics, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China (Fall 2003 – Spring 2007)

Investigation of students’ difficulties in learning Quantum Mechanics (QM)

-          Developed and conducted surveys in classes to categorize students’ difficulties

-          Interviewed students individually using a “think-aloud” protocol to understand their reasoning process in-depth

-          Topics included quantum measurement, wavefunctions, stationary states, expectation values, time evolution, role of Hamiltonian, Dirac notation, angular momentum, Stern-Gerlach experiment, etc.

Development of Research-based Tutorials & Peer Instruction Tools for QM

-          Designed Quantum Interactive Learning Tutorials (QuILTs) as a guided inquiry approach to helping students build a robust knowledge structure about quantum mechanics

-          Designed Concept Tests as a peer instruction tool

-          Evaluated and modified the research-based learning tutorials and peer instruction tools iteratively

Development of Standardized Surveys for quantum mechanics

-          Paid attention to the validity and reliability of the surveys during the development

-          Selected topics by interviewing experts about the “must-learns” in QM

-          Designed the Quantum Mechanics Survey (QMS) and Quantum Mechanics Formalism Survey (QMFS) to evaluate students’ understanding of the most fundamental concepts and principles in QM

-          Categorized and analyzed students’ difficulties in QM

Improving Student Understanding of Addition of Angular Momentum in Quantum Mechanics, G. Zhu and C. Singh, Physical Review Special Topics - Physics Education Research, 9, 010101, Jan 2013

Improving Students' Understanding of Quantum Measurement: I. Investigation of Difficulties, G. Zhu and C. Singh, Physical Review Special Topics - Physics Education Research, 8, 010117, April 2012.

Improving Students' Understanding of Quantum Measurement: II. Development of Research-Based Learning Tools, G. Zhu and C. Singh, Physical Review Special Topics - Physics Education Research, 8, 010118, April 2012.

Surveying Students’ Understanding of Quantum Mechanics in One Spatial Dimension, G. Zhu and C. Singh, American Journal of Physics, 80 (3), 252-259, March 2012

Improving students' understanding of quantum mechanics via Stern-Gerlach experiment, G. Zhu and C. Singh, American Journal of Physics, 79 (5), 499-507, May 2011

Students' understanding of the addition of angular momentum, C. Singh and G. Zhu, Proceedings of the Phys. Ed. Res. Conference, Omaha, NE, (S. Rebello, C. Singh, P. Engelhardt Eds.), AIP Conf. Proc., Melville, New York 1413, 355-358 (2012).

Students' difficulties with quantum measurement, G. Zhu and C. Singh, Proceedings of the Phys. Ed. Res. Conference, Omaha, NE, (S. Rebello, C. Singh, P. Engelhardt Eds.), AIP Conf. Proc., Melville, New York 1413, 387-390 (2012).

Improving Students’ Understanding of Quantum Mechanics by Using Peer Instruction Tools, C. Singh and G. Zhu, Proceedings of the Phys. Ed. Res. Conference, Omaha, NE, (S. Rebello, C. Singh, P. Engelhardt Eds.), AIP Conf. Proc., Melville, New York 1413, 77-80 (2012).

Improving Students’ Understanding of Quantum Measurement, G. Zhu and C. Singh, Proceedings of the Phys. Ed. Res. Conference, AIP Conf. Proc. Volume 1289, AIP Conf. Proc. 1289, 345-348 (2010)

Surveying Students’ Understanding of Quantum Mechanics, C. Singh and G. Zhu, Proceedings of the Phys. Ed. Res. Conference, AIP Conf. Proc. Volume 1289, 1289, 301-304 (2010)

Students' Understanding of Stern Gerlach Experiment, G. Zhu and C. Singh, Proceedings of the Phys. Ed. Res. Conference, AIP Conf. Proc. 1179, 309-312, (2009).

Cognitive Issues in Learning Advanced Physics: An Example from Quantum Mechanics, C. Singh and G. Zhu, Proceedings of the Phys. Ed. Res. Conference, AIP Conf. Proc. 1179, 63-66 (2009).

Peer Instruction for Quantum Mechanics, G. Zhu and C. Singh, APS Forum on Education Newsletter, Fall, 8-10, (2009).