Physics

Practice Assignments with Structured AI Support

Faculty

Jeff Loats, Metropolitan State University of Denver · jloats1@msudenver.edu

Course

Physics of Nature

Level

Undergraduate, General Studies

Faculty Reflection

In designing these Practice Assignments, I wanted to solve a fundamental challenge: how can students use generative AI to genuinely enhance their learning without it becoming a crutch that prevents actual understanding? The three-step structure emerged from recognizing that the key to learning is repetition with feedback. By forcing students to first attempt problems independently, then explicitly seek help (whether from AI, peers, or instructors), and finally reflect on what changed in their understanding, students develop both physics knowledge and metacognitive awareness. The [FLAG] system ensures I can provide targeted feedback on the most meaningful learning moments while keeping grading sustainable. Students consistently report that this structure helps them distinguish between problems they truly understand versus ones where they're just following steps.

What Students Create

Weekly practice assignments demonstrating conceptual physics understanding through a three-step process: independent attempt, getting help (including strategic AI use), and reflective revision with flagged responses for instructor feedback.

Why This Assignment Matters

Students learn to use AI as a learning tool rather than an answer generator, developing both physics reasoning skills and metacognitive awareness of their own learning process. The structured approach ensures repetition with feedback—the foundation of genuine learning.

Assignment Instructions

Give yourself at least a few minutes on each question, but not too much time (don't spend more than 30 minutes total). Answer each question and describe your reasoning, if you can. If you find that you are just guessing, just say so. You will be able to view your responses later.

Be sure to get this first pass done several days before the Practice Assignment is due.

AI Permissions

None. This step is about discovering what you actually know without any external help. No AI, no resources beyond your own thinking. If you're guessing, say so—that's valuable information.

Why no help on the first pass?

[Awaiting Jeff's commentary] Why does the first attempt have to happen with no AI, no notes, and no classmates? What have you seen happen when students skip straight to getting help?

How I make it worth doing

[Awaiting Jeff's commentary] How is the first pass graded or weighted, and how do you get students to actually do it several days before the deadline instead of the night before?

What to keep if you adapt this

[Awaiting Jeff's commentary] For an instructor in another discipline who wants to borrow this: what has to stay exactly as it is, and what should they expect to change?

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How It’s Graded

The points you earn on Practice Assignments come from having done the three-step process. For the questions that you specifically [FLAG], I will read about your process and offer some feedback.

My honest expectation is that you will get nearly full credit on Practice Assignments, unless you skip some of the steps, or leave some questions with wrong answers. If you submit the assignment without engaging in all three steps, you will lose at least 5 out of 10.

Practice Assignments count for 10% of your total grade.

Learning Prompts

Use prompts like these with generative AI (LLMs) to enhance your learning, rather than losing out on the chance to improve.

Prompt: Semi-Socratic Tutor

This will really push you to be the one driving the learning. It won't give you answers and will always be asking you to think and explain. The downside is that this can be frustrating if you are really stuck.

Adapted from openNCCC, I worked with Google Gemini to draft this and then edited it to add context.

I'm taking a college-level conceptual physics course called Physics of Nature. The course focuses heavily on concepts ideas, with minimal calculation and heavy use of proportional reasoning. You are my conceptual physics tutor. Ask me one question at a time and help me learn by guiding my thinking (Socratic style). Don't give me the final answer. Start by asking what topic or question I'm working on and what I already understand. Then explain using simple examples/analogies and keep checking my understanding with questions. If I'm stuck, give a small hint and ask the next question. At the end, ask me to explain the idea in my own words.

Prompt: Misconception Hunting Tutor

This comes from years of research on the idea that confronting misconceptions is key to learning new ideas, especially in physics.

I worked with Google Gemini to draft this prompt and then edited it.

I'm taking a college-level conceptual physics course called Physics of Nature. The course focuses heavily on concepts ideas, with minimal calculation and heavy use of proportional reasoning. You are my conceptual physics tutor and your job is to help me find any misconceptions behind my confusion. Ask 2-4 short diagnostic questions (one at a time). After each answer, tell me what it suggests I'm misunderstanding. Then give a short explanation that directly fixes that misconception, plus one quick "check" question. First, ask me what question I am working on.