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Making Models of Measurement Tools: Examples from Think-Aloud Student Interviews
written by Benjamin M. Zwickl, Dehui Hu, Noah D. Finkelstein, and Heather J. Lewandowski
Constructing and using models are core scientific practices that have gained significant attention within K-12 and higher education. Although modeling is a broadly applicable process, within physics education, it has been preferentially applied to the iterative development of broadly-applicable principles (e.g., Newton's laws of motion in introductory mechanics). We show how similar modeling processes can be invoked as a means to understand the real-world complexities of experimental apparatus, including the measurement tools, in upper-division laboratory courses. In the context of a think-aloud experimental activity involving optics and electronics, we document examples where students apply all of the key facets of modeling to their apparatus and measurement tools: construction, prediction, interpretation of data, identification of model limitations, and revision. A modeling perspective reframes many of the seemingly arbitrary technical details of measurement tools and apparatus as an opportunity for authentic and engaging scientific sense-making.
Physics Education Research Conference 2014
Part of the PER Conference series
Minneapolis, MN: July 30-31, 2014
Pages 291 - 294
Subjects Levels Resource Types
Education Foundations
- Problem Solving
= Processes
Education Practices
- Active Learning
= Modeling
- Curriculum Development
= Laboratory
General Physics
- Collections
= Advanced Laboratories
- Scientific Reasoning
- Upper Undergraduate
- Reference Material
= Research study
Intended Users Formats Ratings
- Researchers
- application/pdf
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Mirror:
https://doi.org/10.1119/perc.2014…
Access Rights:
Free access
License:
This material is released under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the published article's author(s), title, proceedings citation, and DOI.
Rights Holder:
American Association of Physics Teachers
DOI:
10.1119/perc.2014.pr.069
NSF Numbers:
1043028
1323101
PACSs:
01.40.Fk
01.40.gb
01.50.Pa
01.50.Qb
Keywords:
PERC 2014, assessment, experimental physics, laboratory, modeling
Record Creator:
Metadata instance created April 28, 2015 by Lyle Barbato
Record Updated:
May 1, 2015 by Bruce Mason
Last Update
when Cataloged:
April 28, 2015
Other Collections:

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Record Link
AIP Format
B. Zwickl, D. Hu, N. Finkelstein, and H. Lewandowski, , presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2014, Minneapolis, MN, 2014, WWW Document, (https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=13508&DocID=4103).
AJP/PRST-PER
B. Zwickl, D. Hu, N. Finkelstein, and H. Lewandowski, Making Models of Measurement Tools: Examples from Think-Aloud Student Interviews, presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2014, Minneapolis, MN, 2014, <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=13508&DocID=4103>.
APA Format
Zwickl, B., Hu, D., Finkelstein, N., & Lewandowski, H. (2014, July 30-31). Making Models of Measurement Tools: Examples from Think-Aloud Student Interviews. Paper presented at Physics Education Research Conference 2014, Minneapolis, MN. Retrieved March 28, 2024, from https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=13508&DocID=4103
Chicago Format
Zwickl, B, D. Hu, N. Finkelstein, and H. Lewandowski. "Making Models of Measurement Tools: Examples from Think-Aloud Student Interviews." Paper presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2014, Minneapolis, MN, July 30-31, 2014. https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=13508&DocID=4103 (accessed 28 March 2024).
MLA Format
Zwickl, Benjamin, Dehui Hu, Noah Finkelstein, and Heather J. Lewandowski. "Making Models of Measurement Tools: Examples from Think-Aloud Student Interviews." Physics Education Research Conference 2014. Minneapolis, MN: 2014. 291 - 294 of PER Conference. 28 Mar. 2024 <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=13508&DocID=4103>.
BibTeX Export Format
@inproceedings{ Author = "Benjamin Zwickl and Dehui Hu and Noah Finkelstein and Heather J. Lewandowski", Title = {Making Models of Measurement Tools: Examples from Think-Aloud Student Interviews}, BookTitle = {Physics Education Research Conference 2014}, Pages = {291 - 294}, Address = {Minneapolis, MN}, Series = {PER Conference}, Month = {July 30-31}, Year = {2014} }
Refer Export Format

%A Benjamin Zwickl %A Dehui Hu %A Noah Finkelstein %A Heather J. Lewandowski %T Making Models of Measurement Tools: Examples from Think-Aloud Student Interviews %S PER Conference %D July 30-31 2014 %P 291 - 294 %C Minneapolis, MN %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=13508&DocID=4103 %O Physics Education Research Conference 2014 %O July 30-31 %O application/pdf

EndNote Export Format

%0 Conference Proceedings %A Zwickl, Benjamin %A Hu, Dehui %A Finkelstein, Noah %A Lewandowski, Heather J. %D July 30-31 2014 %T Making Models of Measurement Tools: Examples from Think-Aloud Student Interviews %B Physics Education Research Conference 2014 %C Minneapolis, MN %P 291 - 294 %S PER Conference %8 July 30-31 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=13508&DocID=4103


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