Online education and the Switch to Online Learning in Light of COVID-19

Sunday, November 8th | 1:30 – 2:30 pm EST

In a broad sense, the panel uncovers how online learning is affecting everyone. It places the focus on education in physics (& physics-related fields) and aims to leave attendees with a better picture of how to learn in online courses, as well as gain an appreciation for what educators do to make learning successful in this new pandemic world.

Andrew Dotson

What’s going on, smart people! My name is Andrew Dotson, and I’m a 3rd year graduate student doing my Ph.D. in theoretical nuclear/particle physics at NMSU. My research entails extracting information about the pressure distribution inside protons and neutrons through calculations in quantum field theory. I also make physics-related videos on YouTube including comedic skits, heavier math/derivations, and vlogs. I love sharing my experiences each step along the way from an undergraduate physics major to a (one day) full time faculty position!

Julie Bolduc-Duval

Julie Bolduc-Duval is the director of the national astronomy training program Discover the Universe/À la découverte de l’Univers. Through online workshops and webinars, she helps thousands of educators across Canada and beyond every year. For the last 20 years, she has been involved in astronomy and science education both in formal and informal education settings in BC and Quebec. Passionate about education and the power of science to make the world a better place, Julie collaborates with educators and professionals around the globe.

Meghan Scott

Meghan Scott is entering her 3rd year of Integrated Science with an Honors Specialization in Physics. She spent the summer of 2020 working with the UWO department of Physics & Astronomy as an Undergraduate Summer Research Intern to assist in developing plans for the return to classes in September. Her pedagogical research focused on a range of topics including best practices for online learning, effective communication of course content, keeping students engaged, addressing student concerns, and supporting first year students. She will continue working with the department through the fall and winter terms to help instructors navigate and overcome challenges as they arise. 

Karim Jaffer

Prof. Karim Jaffer is a graduate of the University of Guelph (back in the dawn of the internet era), and  is a tenured faculty member at John Abbott College (JAC) where he began teaching full-time in 2006. In addition to teaching core Physics and Pathways courses, Prof. Jaffer has been active in pedagogical reform – most recently transforming the Introductory Astronomy course into a student-directed, contextually current and hands-on approach including experiential mentoring opportunities in the local community.

In addition to being the Astronomy Outreach Coordinator at JAC, Prof. Jaffer is an active researcher in Physics & Science Education, having served and coordinated several provincial projects in Math & Science education across the Secondary, Cegep and University levels, and having held contract positions in Physics, Mathematics, Education and Exercise Science at Bishop’s University, in Physics at Carleton University and at Marianopolis College. Prof. Karim Jaffer currently serves as the Public Events Coordinator for the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC) Montreal Centre and as a member of the RASC National Education & Public Outreach Committee – hosting zoom events monthly (helps keep sane in these current pandemic times).