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Session:
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Paper Type:
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Contributed
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Title:
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Concepts and Epistemologies in a General Education Quantum Physics Course
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Meeting:
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128th AAPT National Meeting: Miami Beach, FL |
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Location:
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Le Jardin |
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Date:
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Wednesday, Jan. 28 |
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Time:
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1:30PM
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Author:
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Michael C. Wittmann, Univ. of Maine
207-581-1237, wittmann@umit.maine.edu
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Co-Author(s):
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None
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Abstract:
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In an ongoing project at the University of Maine Physics Education Research Laboratory, we are investigating students' epistemologies and their use of intuitive ideas when studying quantum physics. We have modified materials from proven curricula1,2 to match student needs and skills in a general education course for nonscience-major students. Students develop basic concepts of quantum physics with an emphasis on observations and building analogies to everyday events and simple intuitive physics situations. Research methods include the analysis of data from the MPEX2,3 classroom observations, weekly journal reports, and written pre- and post-test responses. In this presentation, we describe and assess student thinking about the physics and about the nature of thinking in physics.
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Footnotes:
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1. L.C. McDermott, P.S. Shaffer, and the Physics Education Group at the Univ. of Washington, Tutorials in Introductory Physics (Prentice Hall, New York, 2001).
2. E.F. Redish, R.N. Steinberg, and M.C. Wittmann, New Model Course in Applied Quantum Physics (1999-present). Available online at http://www.physics.umd.edu/perg/qm/qmcourse/welcome.htm.
3. Personal communication from E.F.Redish, A. Elby, T. McCaskey, and the University of Maryland Physics Education Research Group (2002).
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