Facilitating Thinking and Learning in and Beyond the Physics Classrooms

I will discuss, using my research in physics education, how research can be used as a guide to develop curricula and pedagogies to reduce student difficulties. My research has focused on improving student understanding of introductory and advanced concepts, for example, in learning quantum mechanics.~ We are developing research-based learning tools such as tutorials and peer instruction tools that actively engage students in the learning process.~ I will discuss how we evaluate their effectiveness using a variety of methodologies. I will also discuss our research studies that provide guidelines for how to enhance physics by making it inclusive. We thank the National Science Foundation for support.