Activity-Based Tutorials

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Understanding How Students Learn | Teacher's Guide

M.C. Wittmann, R.N. Steinberg, E.F. Redish and the University of Maryland Physics Education Research Group

Understanding how
students learn

Understanding Learning
Overview (what is PER)
Research on Intro Physics
Research on Modern Physics
Research on Learning Theories

The role of classical physics in modern physics

"The influence of student understanding of classical physics when learning quantum mechanics," R.N. Steinberg, M.C. Wittmann, Lei Bao, and E.F. Redish, Research on the Teaching and Learning of Quantum Sciences, NARST Annual Meeting, Boston, March, 1999.

Further articles from the NARST meeting can be found here:

Understanding the photoelectric Effect

"Research-based instructional software in modern physics," R.N. Steinberg and G.E. Oberem, J. of Comp. Math. Sci. Teach 19:2, 115-136 (2000).

Spectroscopy

"Developing and Evaluating Research-Based Classroom Materials to Help Students Understand Concepts of Spectroscopy," talk given at the 121st AAPT National Meeting: Guelph, Ontario, Canada, R. Lippmann and M.C. Wittmann, The Announcer, 30:2, 99 (2000).

Understanding probability and potential energy diagrams

"Understanding probabilistic interpretations of physical systems: A prerequisite to learning quantum physics," L. Bao and E.F. Redish, Am. J. Phys., 70:3, 210-217 (2002).

Interpretation of the wavefunction

"Student misinterpretation of the wave function," talk given at the 117th AAPT National Meeting, Lincoln, NE, L. Bao and E.F. Redish, The Announcer, 28:2, 92 (1998).

Quantum tunneling

"Student Understanding of Tunneling in Quantum Mechanics: Examining Survey Results," J.T. Morgan, M.C. Wittmann, and J.R. Thompson, in S. Franklin, K. Cummings, J. Marx (Eds.) Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings 2003 (2004).

"Understanding Data Analysis from Multiple Viewpoints: An Example from Quantum Tunneling," M.C. Wittmann and J.T. Morgan, in S. Franklin, K. Cummings, J. Marx (Eds.) Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings 2003 (2004).

A slide presentation referenced in both papers can be found here:
"Affecting Student Reasoning in the Context of Quantum Tunneling," talk given at the 121st AAPT National Meeting: Guelph, Ontario, Canada, E.F. Redish, M.C. Wittmann, and R.N. Steinberg, The Announcer, 30:2, 100 (2000).

Understanding Models of Conductivity

"Investigating Student Understanding of Quantum Mechanics: Spontaneous Models of Conductivity," M.C. Wittmann, E.F. Redish, and R.N. Steinberg, Am. J. Phys., 70:3, 218-226 (2002).

"Student epistemological stance constraining researcher access to student thinking: An example from an interview on charge flow," M.C. Wittmann and R.E. Scherr, in S. Franklin, K. Cummings, J. Marx (Eds.) Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings 2002 (2003).

"The challenge of listening: The effect of research agenda on data collection and interpretation," R.E. Scherr and M.C. Wittmann, in S. Franklin, K. Cummings, J. Marx (Eds.) Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings 2002 (2003).