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Smith, Trevor I.; Wittman, Michael C. – Physical Review Special Topics - Physics Education Research, 2008
We suggest one redefinition of common clusters of questions used to analyze student responses on the Force and Motion Conceptual Evaluation. Our goal is to propose a methodology that moves beyond an analysis of student learning defined by correct responses, either on the overall test or on clusters of questions defined solely by content. We use…
Descriptors: Physics, Science Tests, Motion, Learning Theories
Smith, Trevor I.; Wittman, Michael C. – Physical Review Special Topics - Physics Education Research, 2007
Although guided-inquiry methods for teaching introductory physics have been individually shown to be more effective at improving conceptual understanding than traditional lecture-style instruction, researchers in physics education have not studied differences among reform-based curricula in much detail. Several researchers have developed…
Descriptors: Learning Activities, Instructional Effectiveness, Comparative Analysis, Physics
Smith, Trevor I.; Christensen, Warren M.; Mountcastle, Donald B.; Thompson, John R. – Physical Review Special Topics - Physics Education Research, 2015
We report on several specific student difficulties regarding the second law of thermodynamics in the context of heat engines within upper-division undergraduate thermal physics courses. Data come from ungraded written surveys, graded homework assignments, and videotaped classroom observations of tutorial activities. Written data show that students…
Descriptors: Undergraduate Students, Science Education, College Science, Physics
Smith, Trevor I.; Mountcastle, Donald B.; Thompson, John R. – Physical Review Special Topics - Physics Education Research, 2015
We present results of our investigation into student understanding of the physical significance and utility of the Boltzmann factor in several simple models. We identify various justifications, both correct and incorrect, that students use when answering written questions that require application of the Boltzmann factor. Results from written data…
Descriptors: Science Instruction, Scientific Concepts, Comprehension, Concept Formation
Smith, Trevor I.; Wittmann, Michael C.; Carter, Tom – Physical Review Special Topics - Physics Education Research, 2014
Previously, we analyzed the Force and Motion Conceptual Evaluation in terms of a resources-based model that allows for clustering of questions so as to provide useful information on how students correctly or incorrectly reason about physics. In this paper, we apply model analysis to show that the associated model plots provide more information…
Descriptors: Models, Physics, Logical Thinking, College Science
Smith, Trevor I.; Thompson, John R.; Mountcastle, Donald B. – Physical Review Special Topics - Physics Education Research, 2013
One goal of physics instruction is to have students learn to make physical meaning of specific mathematical expressions, concepts, and procedures in different physical settings. As part of research investigating student learning in statistical physics, we are developing curriculum materials that guide students through a derivation of the Boltzmann…
Descriptors: Science Instruction, Mechanics (Physics), Mathematics, Scientific Concepts