PERC 2010 Abstract Detail Page
Previous Page | New Search | Browse All
| Abstract Title: | Students’ responses to different representations of a vector addition question |
|---|---|
| Abstract: | Students use multiple methods to add vectors graphically [1], some of them leading to correct solutions, some of them not. We discuss students' responses to four different representations of a single graphical vector addition question, designed to elicit different solution methods. These four questions have vectors arranged in either a head-to-tail or a tail-to-tail orientation and either with and without a grid. These questions were administered to several hundred students at two different universities. We present the prevalence of different methods in students' responses on the four different types of questions. Furthermore, we describe the types of language they used as well as inconsistencies between students' explanations and drawings. References [1] J. M. Hawkins, J. R. Thompson, and M. C. Wittmann, AIP Conf. Proc. 1179, 161 (2009) Supported in part by NSF Grants REC-0633951 |
| Abstract Type: | Contributed Poster |
Author/Organizer Information | |
| Primary Contact: |
Jeffrey M. Hawkins The University of Maine 120 Bennett Hall Orono, ME 04469-5709 Phone: 2075706067 |
| Co-Author(s) and Co-Presenter(s) |
Michael C. Wittmann, The University of Maine John R. Thompson, The University of Maine Eleanor C. Sayre, Wabash College Jessica W. Clark, Rochester Institute of Technology |
