PERC 2009 Abstract Detail Page
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| Abstract Title: | Identifying Student Difficulties with Density and Buoyancy |
|---|---|
| Abstract: | This study is part of an effort to develop an FCI-style diagnostic test assessing student understanding of fluids. In particular, this poster addresses questions which involve density and buoyancy, one of which is modified from McDermott's Tutorials. The McDermott "floating blocks" question, which asks students to predict the final location of blocks released from rest when submerged and explain their reasoning, has been administered to hundreds of students in three different introductory courses at Grove City College for the past six years. We used the common student responses to craft a multiple-select version of the "floating blocks" problem and added a question about the definition of density in 2008. In addition to discussing the development of the multiple-choice questions, this poster will show the effects that changing workshop activities have had on student performance on the "floating block" question. |
| Abstract Type: | Contributed Poster |
Author/Organizer Information | |
| Primary Contact: |
DJ Wagner Grove City College 100 Campus Drive Grove City, PA 16127 Phone: 724 458 3789 |
| Co-Author(s) and Co-Presenter(s) |
Sam Cohen Grove City College cohensj1 -at- gcc.edu Adam Moyer Grove City College moyeraj1 -at- gcc.edu |
