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Learning about Student Learning in Intermediate Mechanics: Using Research to Improve Instruction
written by Bradley S. Ambrose
Ongoing research in physics education has demonstrated that physics majors often do not develop a working knowledge of basic concepts in mechanics, even after standard instruction in upper-level mechanics courses. A central goal of this work has been to explore the ways in which students make--or do not make--appropriate connections between physics concepts and the more sophisticated mathematics (e.g., differential equations, vector calculus) that they are expected to use. Many of the difficulties that students typically encounter suggest deeply-seated alternate conceptions, while others suggest the presence of loosely or spontaneously connected intuitions. Analysis of results from pretests (ungraded quizzes), written exams, and informal classroom observations are presented to illustrate specific examples of naïve intuitions and related difficulties exhibited by the students. Also presented are examples of instructional strategies that appear to be effective in addressing these difficulties.
Physics Education Research Conference 2009
Part of the PER Conference Invited Paper series
Ann Arbor, Michigan: July 29-30, 2009
Volume 1179, Pages 3-6
Subjects Levels Resource Types
Education Foundations
- Alternative Conceptions
- Cognition
Education Practices
- Pedagogy
General Physics
- Physics Education Research
Oscillations & Waves
- Oscillations
- Upper Undergraduate
- Reference Material
= Article
= Research study
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Mirror:
https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3266748
Access Rights:
Free access and
Available for purchase
Restriction:
© 2009 American Institute of Physics
A preprint of the work is available. A hard copy of the PERC 2009 proceedings is also available.
DOI:
10.1063/1.3266748
NSF Numbers:
0441426
0442388
PACSs:
01.30.Cc
01.40.Fk
01.40.gb
45.20.D-
45.30.+s
45.50.Pk
45.40.-f
Keywords:
PERC 2009, alternative conceptions, cognition., instructional strategies, instructional strategies, mechanics, naive intuitions, physics education research, upper division
Record Cloner:
Metadata instance created March 11, 2010 by Lyle Barbato
Record Updated:
March 11, 2010 by Vince Kuo
Last Update
when Cataloged:
November 11, 2009
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Record Link
AIP Format
B. Ambrose, , presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2009, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 2009, WWW Document, (https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=9891&DocID=1523).
AJP/PRST-PER
B. Ambrose, Learning about Student Learning in Intermediate Mechanics: Using Research to Improve Instruction, presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2009, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 2009, <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=9891&DocID=1523>.
APA Format
Ambrose, B. (2009, July 29-30). Learning about Student Learning in Intermediate Mechanics: Using Research to Improve Instruction. Paper presented at Physics Education Research Conference 2009, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Retrieved March 29, 2024, from https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=9891&DocID=1523
Chicago Format
Ambrose, Bradley S.. "Learning about Student Learning in Intermediate Mechanics: Using Research to Improve Instruction." Paper presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2009, Ann Arbor, Michigan, July 29-30, 2009. https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=9891&DocID=1523 (accessed 29 March 2024).
MLA Format
Ambrose, Bradley S.. "Learning about Student Learning in Intermediate Mechanics: Using Research to Improve Instruction." Physics Education Research Conference 2009. Ann Arbor, Michigan: 2009. 3-6 Vol. 1179 of PER Conference Invited Paper. 29 Mar. 2024 <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=9891&DocID=1523>.
BibTeX Export Format
@inproceedings{ Author = "Bradley S. Ambrose", Title = {Learning about Student Learning in Intermediate Mechanics: Using Research to Improve Instruction}, BookTitle = {Physics Education Research Conference 2009}, Pages = {3-6}, Address = {Ann Arbor, Michigan}, Series = {PER Conference Invited Paper}, Volume = {1179}, Month = {July 29-30}, Year = {2009} }
Refer Export Format

%A Bradley S. Ambrose %T Learning about Student Learning in Intermediate Mechanics: Using Research to Improve Instruction %S PER Conference Invited Paper %V 1179 %D July 29-30 2009 %P 3-6 %C Ann Arbor, Michigan %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=9891&DocID=1523 %O Physics Education Research Conference 2009 %O July 29-30 %O application/pdf

EndNote Export Format

%0 Conference Proceedings %A Ambrose, Bradley S. %D July 29-30 2009 %T Learning about Student Learning in Intermediate Mechanics: Using Research to Improve Instruction %B Physics Education Research Conference 2009 %C Ann Arbor, Michigan %V 1179 %P 3-6 %S PER Conference Invited Paper %8 July 29-30 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=9891&DocID=1523


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