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Fostering Computational Thinking In Introductory Mechanics
written by Marcos D. Caballero, Matthew A. Kohlmyer, and Michael F. Schatz
Students taking introductory physics are rarely exposed to computational modeling. In a one-semester large lecture introductory calculus-based mechanics course at Georgia Tech, students learned to solve physics problems using the VPython programming environment. During the term 1357 students in this course solved a suite of fourteen computational modeling homework questions delivered using an online commercial course management system. Their proficiency with computational modeling was evaluated in a proctored environment using a novel central force problem. The majority of students (60.4%) successfully completed the evaluation. Analysis of erroneous student-submitted programs indicated that a small set of student errors explained why most programs failed. We discuss the design and implementation of the computational modeling homework and evaluation, the results from the evaluation and the implications for instruction in computational modeling in introductory STEM courses.
Physics Education Research Conference 2011
Part of the PER Conference Invited Paper series
Omaha, Nebraska: August 3-4, 2011
Volume 1413, Pages 15-18
Subjects Levels Resource Types
Education Foundations
- Assessment
= Methods
Education Practices
- Instructional Material Design
= Activity
General Physics
- Computational Physics
Other Sciences
- Computer Science
- Lower Undergraduate
- Reference Material
= Article
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Mirror:
https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3679982
Access Rights:
Free access and
Available for purchase
A preprint of the work is available. A hard copy of the PERC 2011 proceedings is available for purchase from the AIP.
Restriction:
© 2011 American Institute of Physics
DOI:
10.1063/1.3679982
NSF Numbers:
0618519
0942076
PACSs:
01.40.Fk
01.40.G-
01.40.gb
Keywords:
Modeling, PERC 2011
Record Cloner:
Metadata instance created April 23, 2012 by Lyle Barbato
Record Updated:
May 15, 2012 by Vince Kuo
Last Update
when Cataloged:
February 6, 2012
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Record Link
AIP Format
M. Caballero, M. Kohlmyer, and M. Schatz, , presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2011, Omaha, Nebraska, 2011, WWW Document, (https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=11799&DocID=2651).
AJP/PRST-PER
M. Caballero, M. Kohlmyer, and M. Schatz, Fostering Computational Thinking In Introductory Mechanics, presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2011, Omaha, Nebraska, 2011, <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=11799&DocID=2651>.
APA Format
Caballero, M., Kohlmyer, M., & Schatz, M. (2011, August 3-4). Fostering Computational Thinking In Introductory Mechanics. Paper presented at Physics Education Research Conference 2011, Omaha, Nebraska. Retrieved April 20, 2024, from https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=11799&DocID=2651
Chicago Format
Caballero, M, M. Kohlmyer, and M. Schatz. "Fostering Computational Thinking In Introductory Mechanics." Paper presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2011, Omaha, Nebraska, August 3-4, 2011. https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=11799&DocID=2651 (accessed 20 April 2024).
MLA Format
Caballero, Marcos D., Matthew Kohlmyer, and Michael Schatz. "Fostering Computational Thinking In Introductory Mechanics." Physics Education Research Conference 2011. Omaha, Nebraska: 2011. 15-18 Vol. 1413 of PER Conference Invited Paper. 20 Apr. 2024 <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=11799&DocID=2651>.
BibTeX Export Format
@inproceedings{ Author = "Marcos D. Caballero and Matthew Kohlmyer and Michael Schatz", Title = {Fostering Computational Thinking In Introductory Mechanics}, BookTitle = {Physics Education Research Conference 2011}, Pages = {15-18}, Address = {Omaha, Nebraska}, Series = {PER Conference Invited Paper}, Volume = {1413}, Month = {August 3-4}, Year = {2011} }
Refer Export Format

%A Marcos D. Caballero %A Matthew Kohlmyer %A Michael Schatz %T Fostering Computational Thinking In Introductory Mechanics %S PER Conference Invited Paper %V 1413 %D August 3-4 2011 %P 15-18 %C Omaha, Nebraska %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=11799&DocID=2651 %O Physics Education Research Conference 2011 %O August 3-4 %O application/pdf

EndNote Export Format

%0 Conference Proceedings %A Caballero, Marcos D. %A Kohlmyer, Matthew %A Schatz, Michael %D August 3-4 2011 %T Fostering Computational Thinking In Introductory Mechanics %B Physics Education Research Conference 2011 %C Omaha, Nebraska %V 1413 %P 15-18 %S PER Conference Invited Paper %8 August 3-4 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=11799&DocID=2651


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