--- title: Expert TA Blog | Expert TA description: Expert TA | --- # Expert TA Blog Select Category Academic Integrity Ed Tech Expert TA Instruction OER Other Physics Education Science This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. Posts about: ## Expert TA ![AAPT-Logo-1](https://blog.theexpertta.com/hubfs/AAPT-Logo-1.png) [Physics Education,](https://blog.theexpertta.com/topic/physics-education) [Expert TA,](https://blog.theexpertta.com/topic/expert-ta) [Other](https://blog.theexpertta.com/topic/other) ### [AAPT - Promoting Physics Education](https://blog.theexpertta.com/aapt) 11/27/18 10:10 AM The AAPT, or the American Association of Physics Teachers, was founded in the 1930s and is the premier global professional society for physics education. Their goal is “to enhance the understanding and appreciation of physics through teaching.” Twice a year, the AAPT organizes a national meeting at various locations across the United States, giving its members and physics educators at all levels a chance at ongoing professional development. There will be a collection of speakers, workshops, and hundreds of sessions over a four or five-day period all centered around physics education. Relevant software companies, organizations, and STEM promoters are typically represented at these meetings, along with many product-specific groups such as PASCO, Arbor Scientific, Merlan Scientific, Vernier and Texas Instruments each wanting you to demo their tools and equipment. "Many of our members have told us that attending an AAPT national meeting has been the single-most transformative experience in their teaching careers. Attendees come away from our meetings equipped with ideas that they can quickly incorporate in their classrooms." says Mike Hall, Director of Membership at AAPT. [How to become a member](https://www.aapt.org/Membership/joining.cfm) of AAPT? In San Diego at the 2018 National Winter Meeting, Dr. David Pritchard of MIT and other contributors collaboratively presented, "The State of Online Physics Courses & Building Online Communities of Learning". The talk touched on the evolution of online homework which included data analysis of effective methodologies including blended learning, the flipped classroom, social media engagement, and the positive use of peer instruction. ![The Expert TA Team](https://blog.theexpertta.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Expert_TA_Facebook_Profile_Picture.png?width=45&name=Expert_TA_Facebook_Profile_Picture.png) [The Expert TA Team](https://blog.theexpertta.com/author/the-expert-ta-team) [Read More](https://blog.theexpertta.com/aapt) ![iStock-698145544](https://blog.theexpertta.com/hubfs/iStock-698145544.jpg) [Instruction,](https://blog.theexpertta.com/topic/instruction) [Expert TA,](https://blog.theexpertta.com/topic/expert-ta) [Other](https://blog.theexpertta.com/topic/other) ### [Getting Started with Expert TA](https://blog.theexpertta.com/getting-started-with-expertta) 5/17/18 3:02 PM Whether you are a first-time instructor using Expert TA, or an educator who has leveraged our online homework system for many years, the following blog will provide a look at how easy it is to get started within the Expert TA environment. ![The Expert TA Team](https://blog.theexpertta.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Expert_TA_Facebook_Profile_Picture.png?width=45&name=Expert_TA_Facebook_Profile_Picture.png) [The Expert TA Team](https://blog.theexpertta.com/author/the-expert-ta-team) [Read More](https://blog.theexpertta.com/getting-started-with-expertta) ![iStock-485935022](https://blog.theexpertta.com/hubfs/iStock-485935022.jpg) [Instruction,](https://blog.theexpertta.com/topic/instruction) [Academic Integrity,](https://blog.theexpertta.com/topic/academic-integrity) [Physics Education,](https://blog.theexpertta.com/topic/physics-education) [Expert TA](https://blog.theexpertta.com/topic/expert-ta) ### [TCU Addressing Online Cheating - Something Can Be Done](https://blog.theexpertta.com/student-cheating-something-can-be-done) 5/14/18 10:53 AM Many instructors are frustrated with students using the internet to cheat on homework and other assignments.  [This article](http://digital.olivesoftware.com/Olive/ODN/FortWorth/shared/ShowArticle.aspx?doc=FWST%2F2018%2F05%2F10&entity=Ar00402&sk=0665E8D7&mode=text) is an example that instructors and schools are not powerless.  As TCU is showing, a firm position can be taken and something can be done about this problem.   ![The Expert TA Team](https://blog.theexpertta.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Expert_TA_Facebook_Profile_Picture.png?width=45&name=Expert_TA_Facebook_Profile_Picture.png) [The Expert TA Team](https://blog.theexpertta.com/author/the-expert-ta-team) [Read More](https://blog.theexpertta.com/student-cheating-something-can-be-done) ![iStock-497004919](https://blog.theexpertta.com/hubfs/iStock-497004919.jpg) [Instruction,](https://blog.theexpertta.com/topic/instruction) [Physics Education,](https://blog.theexpertta.com/topic/physics-education) [Expert TA,](https://blog.theexpertta.com/topic/expert-ta) [Ed Tech](https://blog.theexpertta.com/topic/ed-tech) ### [Making the Move to a Flipped Classroom](https://blog.theexpertta.com/making-the-move-flipped-classroom) 4/18/18 10:13 AM Many educators look for new and innovative ways to teach their students. Thanks to today’s technology, content is provided in a wide range of formats to suit different... ![The Expert TA Team](https://blog.theexpertta.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Expert_TA_Facebook_Profile_Picture.png?width=45&name=Expert_TA_Facebook_Profile_Picture.png) [The Expert TA Team](https://blog.theexpertta.com/author/the-expert-ta-team) [Read More](https://blog.theexpertta.com/making-the-move-flipped-classroom) ![](https://blog.theexpertta.com/hubfs/Blog%20Images/FBDs/FBD%20Blog.png) [Physics Education,](https://blog.theexpertta.com/topic/physics-education) [Expert TA](https://blog.theexpertta.com/topic/expert-ta) ### [Online Free Body Diagrams Done Right](https://blog.theexpertta.com/online-free-body-diagrams-done-right) 10/10/17 9:30 AM ### The Value of Solving Problems the Right Way While online homework makes grading more manageable, many instructors feel that it is a compromised version of hand-written homework. Yes, students should solve for final numeric results, but most instructors agree that they should also deal with key symbolic relationships, and draw Free Body Diagrams when necessary. Emphasizing the problem solving process and including symbolic expressions has [always been central to Expert TA’s online homework system](http://theexpertta.com/our-product/features/symbolic-questions/), and is backed by [case studies](http://theexpertta.com/case-studies/) showing measurable increases in student outcomes. ![The Expert TA Team](https://blog.theexpertta.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Expert_TA_Facebook_Profile_Picture.png?width=45&name=Expert_TA_Facebook_Profile_Picture.png) [The Expert TA Team](https://blog.theexpertta.com/author/the-expert-ta-team) [Read More](https://blog.theexpertta.com/online-free-body-diagrams-done-right) ![](https://blog.theexpertta.com/hubfs/Blog_Images/Integrity%20Blog%20Post.png) [Academic Integrity,](https://blog.theexpertta.com/topic/academic-integrity) [Expert TA](https://blog.theexpertta.com/topic/expert-ta) ### [Top Homework System Features To Address Cheating Online](https://blog.theexpertta.com/top-system-features-to-address-cheating-online) 8/16/17 9:33 AM At Expert TA, we have always made it a [top priority](https://blog.theexpertta.com/combat-online-cheating) to provide instructors with the best possible protections against cheating online. The [scope of the problem](https://blog.theexpertta.com/online-cheating-infographic) has never been greater, with the ever-expanding volume of solutions posted on the internet, and the advent of "tutoring" services through which students can have any problem solved in a matter of minutes. Our focus on this goal requires continual development and innovation.. ![The Expert TA Team](https://blog.theexpertta.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Expert_TA_Facebook_Profile_Picture.png?width=45&name=Expert_TA_Facebook_Profile_Picture.png) [The Expert TA Team](https://blog.theexpertta.com/author/the-expert-ta-team) [Read More](https://blog.theexpertta.com/top-system-features-to-address-cheating-online) ![DSC_0162.jpg](https://blog.theexpertta.com/hubfs/Blog_Images/ETA%20Spotlight/DSC_0162.jpg) [Physics Education,](https://blog.theexpertta.com/topic/physics-education) [Expert TA,](https://blog.theexpertta.com/topic/expert-ta) [Other](https://blog.theexpertta.com/topic/other) ### [Expert TA Spotlight - Dr. Chris Duston, Content Director](https://blog.theexpertta.com/expert-ta-spotlight-chris-duston) 4/25/17 10:28 PM Getting to know the Expert TA Team - Each post in our Expert TA Spotlight series will highlight the personal and professional accomplishments of a member of the Expert TA community. First up is Director of Content, Dr. Chris Duston. ![Zach Kilburn](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/2eda4ab2412f2552e48f93554f15d966) [Zach Kilburn](https://blog.theexpertta.com/author/zach-kilburn) [Read More](https://blog.theexpertta.com/expert-ta-spotlight-chris-duston) ![UCO_5I22873.jpg](https://blog.theexpertta.com/hubfs/Blog_Images/UCO_5I22873.jpg) [Instruction,](https://blog.theexpertta.com/topic/instruction) [Expert TA,](https://blog.theexpertta.com/topic/expert-ta) [Other](https://blog.theexpertta.com/topic/other) ### [University of Central Oklahoma Recognized as Top School for Student Engagement](https://blog.theexpertta.com/uco-student-engagement) 4/10/17 4:20 PM Congratulations to the [University of Central Oklahoma](https://www.uco.edu) on being recognized as one of the top 10 schools in the nation for their dedication to student engagement. ![Zach Kilburn](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/2eda4ab2412f2552e48f93554f15d966) [Zach Kilburn](https://blog.theexpertta.com/author/zach-kilburn) [Read More](https://blog.theexpertta.com/uco-student-engagement) ![](https://blog.theexpertta.com/hubfs/Blog_Images/Textbook%20Mapping%20Blog%20-%20HubSpot%20Image.png) [Academic Integrity,](https://blog.theexpertta.com/topic/academic-integrity) [Expert TA,](https://blog.theexpertta.com/topic/expert-ta) [Ed Tech](https://blog.theexpertta.com/topic/ed-tech) ### [Textbook Mapping - One Way to “Break Free from the Bundle”](https://blog.theexpertta.com/textbook-mapping) 3/30/17 10:00 AM In a previous post, we discussed the reasons why [bundled textbooks are a bad deal for students](https://blog.theexpertta.com/blog/why-bundled-textbooks-are-a-bad-deal-for-students). These package solutions can seem like a great option because they often include supplemental material to assist in course preparation and pre-built assignments. The truth is, however, there are many downsides to the bundle, including the [availability of textbook solutions online](https://blog.theexpertta.com/combat-online-cheating) and the [ever-increasing financial burden on students](http://www.nbcnews.com/feature/freshman-year/college-textbook-prices-have-risen-812-percent-1978-n399926). For this post, we will discuss one way instructors are able to continue capitalizing on the advantages of online homework, while disconnecting from the bundle and ultimately saving their students money. Textbook mapping, a feature available in the Expert TA system, allows instructors to view the problems in Expert TA’s independent library arranged in the specific chapter and section order of the textbook of their choice. By default, the problems in our system follow a similar structure to many of the most common introductory physics textbooks. There are, however, many instances where certain topics are covered in different chapters and sections from one book to the next. With textbook mapping in Expert TA, instructors have the ease of a bundled homework solution when selecting problems, but the flexibility of an independent library that also protects the integrity of problem solutions. We’ve put together a breakdown of the most common textbook mappings across all users of Expert TA to give others an idea of how this feature is actually being utilized in the system. **See if your textbook is available:**  ![The Expert TA Team](https://blog.theexpertta.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Expert_TA_Facebook_Profile_Picture.png?width=45&name=Expert_TA_Facebook_Profile_Picture.png) [The Expert TA Team](https://blog.theexpertta.com/author/the-expert-ta-team) [Read More](https://blog.theexpertta.com/textbook-mapping) ![](https://blog.theexpertta.com/hubfs/Blog_Images/True%20Partial%20Credit%20Grading%20Blog.png) [Instruction,](https://blog.theexpertta.com/topic/instruction) [Expert TA,](https://blog.theexpertta.com/topic/expert-ta) [Ed Tech](https://blog.theexpertta.com/topic/ed-tech) ### [TRUE Partial Credit Grading with Expert TA](https://blog.theexpertta.com/true-partial-credit-grading) 3/28/17 9:43 AM Many instructors feel online homework systems are lacking the ability to grade student work similarly to how they grade a traditional paper-based assignment. The truth is: *they are right. *Historically, online homework is a time-saver for instructors with heavy schedules and large classes. ![The Expert TA Team](https://blog.theexpertta.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Expert_TA_Facebook_Profile_Picture.png?width=45&name=Expert_TA_Facebook_Profile_Picture.png) [The Expert TA Team](https://blog.theexpertta.com/author/the-expert-ta-team) [Read More](https://blog.theexpertta.com/true-partial-credit-grading)