Developing expertlike epistemologies about physics empirical discovery using virtual reality
written by
Jared P. Canright and Suzanne White Brahmia
The process and role of developing new scientific models experimentally is a cornerstone of physics -- and arguably an important learning objective of laboratory courses -- but research in physics education suggests that the content-focused, ``cookbook'' paradigm of lab instruction common in the last 2-3 decades does not effectively meet this objective. These instructional practices often leave students believing that in-class experiments exist to supplement conceptual learning and that the sole purpose of real-world experiments is to test theories. As a result, many students frame lab work as an exercise in knowledge confirmation, and often develop the expectation that all physics that appears in the labs can be found with a Google search. Framing a real-world lab such that its results are Google-proof enough to engage students in the process of scientific discovery requires great creativity. This paper describes an alternative approach, using virtual reality to integrate the process of authentic scientific discovery into the lab curriculum. We developed labs in which students explore and develop mathematical models for unknown force laws between new kinds of particles that we invented. We find that this intervention produced significant shifts in students' epistemologies about experimental physics toward being more expertlike -- specifically regarding the central role experimentation plays for research physicists in making new discoveries and developing theories, and the role of laboratory experiments in teaching a nuanced and unique scientific way of knowing.
Physics Education Research Conference 2021
Part of the PER Conference series Virtual Conference: August 4-5, 2021, 2021 Pages 75-80
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<a href="https://www.compadre.org/portal/items/detail.cfm?ID=15728">Canright, Jared P., and Suzanne White Brahmia. "Developing expertlike epistemologies about physics empirical discovery using virtual reality." Paper presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2021, Virtual Conference, August 4-5, 2021, 2021.</a>
AIP Format
J. Canright and S. White Brahmia, , presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2021, Virtual Conference, 2021, WWW Document, (https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=15728&DocID=5462).
AJP/PRST-PER
J. Canright and S. White Brahmia, Developing expertlike epistemologies about physics empirical discovery using virtual reality, presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2021, Virtual Conference, 2021, <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=15728&DocID=5462>.
APA Format
Canright, J., & White Brahmia, S. (2021, August 4-5, 2021). Developing expertlike epistemologies about physics empirical discovery using virtual reality. Paper presented at Physics Education Research Conference 2021, Virtual Conference. Retrieved November 12, 2024, from https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=15728&DocID=5462
Chicago Format
Canright, Jared P., and Suzanne White Brahmia. "Developing expertlike epistemologies about physics empirical discovery using virtual reality." Paper presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2021, Virtual Conference, August 4-5, 2021, 2021. https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=15728&DocID=5462 (accessed 12 November 2024).
MLA Format
Canright, Jared P., and Suzanne White Brahmia. "Developing expertlike epistemologies about physics empirical discovery using virtual reality." Physics Education Research Conference 2021. Virtual Conference: 2021. 75-80 of PER Conference. 12 Nov. 2024 <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=15728&DocID=5462>.
BibTeX Export Format
@inproceedings{
Author = "Jared P. Canright and Suzanne White Brahmia",
Title = {Developing expertlike epistemologies about physics empirical discovery using virtual reality},
BookTitle = {Physics Education Research Conference 2021},
Pages = {75-80},
Address = {Virtual Conference},
Series = {PER Conference},
Month = {August 4-5, 2021},
Year = {2021}
}
Refer Export Format
%A Jared P. Canright %A Suzanne White Brahmia %T Developing expertlike epistemologies about physics empirical discovery using virtual reality %S PER Conference %D August 4-5, 2021 2021 %P 75-80 %C Virtual Conference %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=15728&DocID=5462 %O Physics Education Research Conference 2021 %O August 4-5, 2021 %O application/pdf
EndNote Export Format
%0 Conference Proceedings %A Canright, Jared P. %A White Brahmia, Suzanne %D August 4-5, 2021 2021 %T Developing expertlike epistemologies about physics empirical discovery using virtual reality %B Physics Education Research Conference 2021 %C Virtual Conference %P 75-80 %S PER Conference %8 August 4-5, 2021 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=15728&DocID=5462 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.
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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. Developing expertlike epistemologies about physics empirical discovery using virtual reality:
References
Leveraging virtual reality for student development of force models in the introductory lab
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