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Journal of Research in Science Teaching
written by Ping-Kee Tao and Richard Gunstone
The process of students' conceptual change was investigated during a computer-supported physics unit in a Grade 10 science class. Computer simulation programs were developed to confront students' alternative conceptions in mechanics. A conceptual test was administered as a pre-, post-, and delayed posttest to determine students' conceptual change. Students worked collaboratively in pairs on the programs carrying out predict-observe-explain tasks according to worksheets. While the pairs worked on the tasks, their conversational interactions were recorded. A range of other data was collected at various junctures during instruction. At each juncture, the data for each of 12 students were analyzed to provide a conceptual snapshot at that juncture. All the conceptual snapshots together provided a delineation of the students' conceptual development. It was found that many students vacillated between alternative and scientific conceptions from one context to another during instruction, i.e., their conceptual change was context dependent and unstable. The few students who achieved context independent and stable conceptual change appeared to be able to perceive the commonalities and accept the generality of scientific conceptions across contexts. These findings led to a pattern of conceptual change which has implications for instructional practices. The article concludes with consequent implications for classsrooms.
Journal of Research in Science Teaching: Volume 36, Issue 7, Pages 859-882
Subjects Levels Resource Types
Education Foundations
- Alternative Conceptions
- Cognition
- Learning Theory
Education Practices
- Technology
= Computers
General Physics
- Physics Education Research
- High School
- Lower Undergraduate
- Reference Material
= Research study
Intended Users Formats Ratings
- Educators
- application/pdf
- non-digital
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Available by subscription
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© 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Additional information is available.
DOI:
10.1002/(SICI)1098-2736(199909)36:7<859::AID-TEA7>3.0.CO;2-J
Keywords:
Cognitive Processes, Computer Uses in Education, Concept Formation, Conceptual Change Theory of Knowledge, Epistemology, Force, Generalization, Grade 10, High Schools, Learning Theories, Misconceptions, Motion, Physics, Science Instruction, Scientific Concepts
Record Creator:
Metadata instance created July 14, 2005 by Lyle Barbato
Record Updated:
September 23, 2007 by Lyle Barbato
Last Update
when Cataloged:
August 27, 1999
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AIP Format
P. Tao and R. Gunstone, , J. Res. Sci. Teaching 36 (7), 859 (1999), WWW Document, (https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1098-2736(199909)36:7%3C859::AID-TEA7%3E3.0.CO;2-J).
AJP/PRST-PER
P. Tao and R. Gunstone, The process of conceptual change in force and motion during computer-supported physics instruction, J. Res. Sci. Teaching 36 (7), 859 (1999), <https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1098-2736(199909)36:7%3C859::AID-TEA7%3E3.0.CO;2-J>.
APA Format
Tao, P., & Gunstone, R. (1999, August 27). The process of conceptual change in force and motion during computer-supported physics instruction. J. Res. Sci. Teaching, 36(7), 859-882. Retrieved March 28, 2024, from https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1098-2736(199909)36:7%3C859::AID-TEA7%3E3.0.CO;2-J
Chicago Format
Tao, Ping-Kee, and Richard Gunstone. "The process of conceptual change in force and motion during computer-supported physics instruction." J. Res. Sci. Teaching. 36, no. 7, (August 27, 1999): 859-882, https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1098-2736(199909)36:7%3C859::AID-TEA7%3E3.0.CO;2-J (accessed 28 March 2024).
MLA Format
Tao, Ping-Kee, and Richard Gunstone. "The process of conceptual change in force and motion during computer-supported physics instruction." J. Res. Sci. Teaching 36.7 (1999): 859-882. 28 Mar. 2024 <https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1098-2736(199909)36:7%3C859::AID-TEA7%3E3.0.CO;2-J>.
BibTeX Export Format
@article{ Author = "Ping-Kee Tao and Richard Gunstone", Title = {The process of conceptual change in force and motion during computer-supported physics instruction}, Journal = {J. Res. Sci. Teaching}, Volume = {36}, Number = {7}, Pages = {859-882}, Month = {August}, Year = {1999} }
Refer Export Format

%A Ping-Kee Tao %A Richard Gunstone %T The process of conceptual change in force and motion during computer-supported physics instruction %J J. Res. Sci. Teaching %V 36 %N 7 %D August 27, 1999 %P 859-882 %U https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1098-2736(199909)36:7%3C859::AID-TEA7%3E3.0.CO;2-J %O application/pdf

EndNote Export Format

%0 Journal Article %A Tao, Ping-Kee %A Gunstone, Richard %D August 27, 1999 %T The process of conceptual change in force and motion during computer-supported physics instruction %J J. Res. Sci. Teaching %V 36 %N 7 %P 859-882 %8 August 27, 1999 %U https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1098-2736(199909)36:7%3C859::AID-TEA7%3E3.0.CO;2-J


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