Using the Tutorial Approach to Improve Physics Learning from Introductory to Graduate Level
written by
Seth DeVore
In this thesis, I discuss the development and evaluation of tutorials ranging from introductory to graduate level. Tutorials were developed based upon research on student difficulties in learning relevant concepts and findings of cognitive research. Tutorials are a valuable resource when used either in-class or as a self-study tool. They strive to help students develop a robust knowledge structure of relevant topics and improve their problem solving skills. I discuss the development of a tutorial on the Lock-in amplifier (LIA) for use as both an on-ramp to ease the transition of students entering into the research lab and to improve student understanding of the operation of the LIA for those already making use of this device. The effectiveness of this tutorial was evaluated using think aloud interviews with graduate students possessing a wide range of experience with the LIA and the findings were uniformly positive. I also describe the development and evaluation of a Quantum Interactive Learning Tutorial (QuILT) that focuses on quantum key distribution using two protocols for secure key distribution. One protocol used in the first part of the QuILT is administered to students working collaboratively in class while the second protocol used in the second part of the QuILT was administered as homework. Evaluation of student understanding of the two protocols used in this QuILT shows that it was effective at improving student understanding both immediately after working on the QuILT and two months later. Finally, I discuss the development and evaluation of four web-based tutorials focusing on quantitative problem solving intended to aid introductory students in the learning of effective problem-solving heuristics while helping them learn physics concepts. Findings suggest that while these tutorials are effective when administered in one-on-one think-aloud interviews, this effectiveness is greatly diminished when students are asked to use the tutorials as a self-study to
University:
University of Pittsburgh
Academic Department: Physics & Astronomy Pages 213
ComPADRE is beta testing Citation Styles!
![]() <a href="https://www.compadre.org/portal/items/detail.cfm?ID=13788">DeVore, Seth. "Using the Tutorial Approach to Improve Physics Learning from Introductory to Graduate Level." University of Pittsburgh, 2014.</a>
![]() S. DeVore, , University of Pittsburgh, 2014, WWW Document, (https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=13788&DocID=4208).
![]() S. DeVore, Using the Tutorial Approach to Improve Physics Learning from Introductory to Graduate Level, University of Pittsburgh, 2014, <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=13788&DocID=4208>.
![]() DeVore, S. (2014, November 18). Using the Tutorial Approach to Improve Physics Learning from Introductory to Graduate Level (University of Pittsburgh, 2014). Retrieved May 1, 2025, from https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=13788&DocID=4208
![]() DeVore, Seth. "Using the Tutorial Approach to Improve Physics Learning from Introductory to Graduate Level." University of Pittsburgh, 2014. https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=13788&DocID=4208 (accessed 1 May 2025).
![]() DeVore, Seth. "Using the Tutorial Approach to Improve Physics Learning from Introductory to Graduate Level." 18 Nov. 2014. University of Pittsburgh, 2014. 1 May 2025 <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=13788&DocID=4208>.
![]() @phdthesis{
Author = "Seth DeVore",
Title = {Using the Tutorial Approach to Improve Physics Learning from Introductory to Graduate Level},
School = {University of Pittsburgh},
Month = {November},
Year = {2014}
}
![]() %A Seth DeVore %T Using the Tutorial Approach to Improve Physics Learning from Introductory to Graduate Level %D November 18, 2014 %P 213 %I University of Pittsburgh %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=13788&DocID=4208 %O Physics & Astronomy %O application/pdf ![]() %0 Thesis %A DeVore, Seth %D November 18, 2014 %T Using the Tutorial Approach to Improve Physics Learning from Introductory to Graduate Level %B Physics & Astronomy %I University of Pittsburgh %P 213 %8 November 18, 2014 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=13788&DocID=4208 Disclaimer: ComPADRE offers citation styles as a guide only. We cannot offer interpretations about citations as this is an automated procedure. Please refer to the style manuals in the Citation Source Information area for clarifications.
Citation Source Information
The AIP Style presented is based on information from the AIP Style Manual. The APA Style presented is based on information from APA Style.org: Electronic References. The Chicago Style presented is based on information from Examples of Chicago-Style Documentation. The MLA Style presented is based on information from the MLA FAQ. |