Physics Colloquium - Fall 2006 - Research on student understanding of matter and energy in college physical science courses
Dept of Physics & Astronomy
University of Maine, Orono, Maine
Presents
Dr. Michael Loverude
Associate Professor of Physics
California State University
Research on student understanding of matter and energy in college physical science courses
The nature of matter and energy are ideas that are fundamental to physics as well as chemistry. College courses in the physical sciences typically assume that students have a solid understanding of foundational ideas like the laws of conservation of mass and conservation of energy. In this talk, we examine student conceptual understanding of matter and energy in several specific physical contexts familiar to instructors in both disciplines. In particular, we will illustrate examples of common conceptual and reasoning difficulties. Students in the study have been drawn from a variety of courses, including a lecture course for non-science majors, a lab-based inquiry-oriented course for pre-service teachers, and lecture and lab courses for science and engineering majors. We will show sample student responses given in individual student interviews as well as on written questions posed on course quizzes and examinations, and will discuss implications for instruction as well as future research.
Friday, November 3, 2006
3:10 pm
140 Bennett Hall
Refreshments will follow in Rm. 114, Bennett Hall
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