Approaches for improving students’ understanding of quantum mechanics

I have found the recent articles on improving physics education very helpful—please keep them coming! Although I am a physics undergraduate looking toward a future in research, such articles have influenced me at least as much as your articles on physics innovations.

I was very lucky to have an outstanding advanced placement physics teacher. His explanations and guidance were simple yet effective, and he led the class through his entire thought process when working out examples. Although most of the students were not going into physics or engineering, almost all were able to understand the material. His brilliant instruction was one of the factors that made me choose to be a physics major.

On the other hand, I am privy to the horror stories of my friends taking introductory physics for science majors under other instructors. The range of experiences, from stunning to devastating, have encouraged me to focus on teaching as well as research. Please, keep the physics education articles coming. At a time when our country is facing a lack of science education, how physics is taught may be one of the most important areas to study.