Associate Professor of Physics
Department of Chemistry and Physics
Office: 115 Pursley Hall
Phone: 985-549-2894
FAX: 985-549-5126
email: rallain@selu.edu
Ph.D. North Carolina State University, M.S. University of Alabama, B.S. Benedictine University
Dr. Allain's research interests are in the field of Physics Education Research(PER). The primary goal of PER is to explore how students understand physics. This typically leads to the development of new curriculum and instructional techniques. Currently, Dr. Allain is interested in physics for elementary teachers, computational methods in introductory physics and student understanding of the nature of science.
Selected Publications, Talks, and Links
- R. Beichner, et al "Student-Centered Activities in Large Enrollment Undergraduate Programs (SCALE-UP)" a chapter in Physics Education Research Inspired Curricula (2006) WWW Document (http://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=4517&DocID=183)
- R. Allain, D. Abbott, D. Deardorff "Using peer ranking to enhance student writing" Physics Education Vol 41 (3), May 2006 pp. 255-258 (pdf)
- R. Allain, "Pre-Service Elementary Teachers' Ideas about the Nature of Science" - Presented at the 2007 Winter AAPT Meeting, Seattle, WA (pdf)
- R. Allain, "3-D Programming: So Easy, A Caveman Can Do It" - Presented at the 16th Annual Mini-Conference on Undergraduate Research at the University of Southern Mississippi. (pdf)
- Optimal Commuting Speed Calculator (online)
- The Physics of Line Rider (online)
- "Zero-g" Box (online)