University of Maine
Physics Education Research Laboratory

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Research and Evaluation | All Publications and Presentations (complete, most up-to-date)

Research into Student Learning:
Books, Papers, Talks, Posters

Links to Research Topics arranged by research topic and author

Books

M.C. Wittmann, R.N. Steinberg, and E.F. Redish Activity-Based Tutorials Vol 1: Introductory Physics John Wiley & Sons, Inc. as part of the Physics Suite (2004)

M.C. Wittmann, R.N. Steinberg, and E.F. Redish Activity-Based Tutorials Vol 2: Modern Physics John Wiley & Sons, Inc. as part of the Physics Suite (2005)

Dissertations and Theses

K. VP. Menchen Investigations of Student Understanding of Sound Propagation and Resonance Unpublished M.S.T. thesis, University of Maine, 2005

E.C. Sayre Advanced Students' Resource Selection in Nearly-Novel Situations Unpublished M.S.T. thesis, University of Maine, 2005

M.C. Wittmann Making Sense of How Students Come to an Understanding of Physics: An Example from Mechanical Waves Unpublished Ph.D. dissertation, University of Maryland, 1998

Papers

E.B. Pollock, J.R. Thompson, D.B. Mountcastle Student Understanding of the Physics and Mathematics of Process Variables In P-V Diagrams Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings 2007 (to appear 2008)

D.B. Mountcastle, B.R. Bucy, J.R. Thompson Student Estimates of Probability and Uncertainty in Advanced Laboratory and Statistical Physics Courses Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings 2007 (to appear 2008)

B.R. Bucy, J.R. Thompson, D.B. Mountcastle Student (Mis)application of Partial Differentiation to Material Properties 2006 Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings, edited by P. Heron, L. McCullough, and J. Marx, AIP Conference Proceedings 883, 157-160 (2007)

B.R. Bucy, J.R. Thompson, D.B. Mountcastle What is Entropy? Advanced Undergraduate Performance Comparing Ideal Gas Processes 2005 Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings, edited by P. Heron, L. McCullough, and J. Marx, AIP Conference Proceedings 818, 77-80 (2006)

J.R. Thompson, B.R. Bucy, D.B. Mountcastle Assessing Student Understanding of Partial Derivatives in Thermodynamics 2005 Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings, edited by P. Heron, L. McCullough, and J. Marx, AIP Conference Proceedings 818, 77-80 (2006)

M.C. Wittmann, J.T. Morgan, and L. Bao Addressing student models of energy loss in quantum tunneling European Journal of Physics 26, 939–950 (2005)

S. Kanim, J.R. Thompson Magnetic Field Viewing Cards The Physics Teacher, 43:6, 355–359 (2005)

E.F.Redish, and M.C. Wittmann, Twenty Questions for PER Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings, 2004, edited by J. Marx, S. Franklin, and P. Heron, AIP Conference Proceedings (in press, 2005)

J.C.Owen, S.A.Norton, K. Maash, and M.C. Wittmann Design, Implementation, and Assessment of an Earth Systems Science Course for Secondary Teachers Journal of Geoscience Education, 52:4 (2004)

M.C. Wittmann, E.F. Redish, and R.N. Steinberg Understanding and Addressing Student Reasoning about Sound International Journal of Science Education 25:8, 991-1013 (2003)

M.C. Wittmann Understanding Coordinated Sets of Resources: An Example from Quantum Tunneling Proceedings of the Fermi School in Physics Education Research, Varenna, Italy, 2003 July. (white paper, web posting only)

K. VP. Menchen and J.R. Thompson Pre-service teacher understanding of propagation and resonance in sound phenomena in S. Franklin, K. Cummings, J. Marx (Eds.) Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings 2003, AIP Conference Proceedings 720, 65-68 (2004)

J.T. Morgan, M.C. Wittmann, and J.R. Thompson Student Understanding of Tunneling in Quantum Mechanics: Examining Survey Results in S. Franklin, K. Cummings, J. Marx (Eds.) Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings 2003, AIP Conference Proceedings 720, 97-100 (2004).

M.C. Wittmann, J.T. Morgan Understanding Data Analysis from Multiple Viewpoints: An Example from Quantum Tunneling in S. Franklin, K. Cummings, J. Marx (Eds.) Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings 2003, AIP Conference Proceedings 720, 3-6 (2004).

E.C. Sayre, M.C. Wittmann, and J.R. Thompson Resource Selection in Nearly-Novel Situations in S. Franklin, K. Cummings, J. Marx (Eds.) Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings 2003, AIP Conference Proceedings 720, 101-104 (2004).

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

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

M.C. Wittmann Limitations in predicting student performance on standardized tests In S. Franklin, K. Cummings, J. Marx (Eds.) Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings 2002.(2003)

M.C. Wittmann On the dissemination of a proven curriculum: RealTime Physics and Interactive Lecture Demonstrations White paper web publication of FIPSE external evaluator report for the RTP/ILD dissemination project

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

M.C. Wittmann The Object Coordiantion Class Applied to Wavepulses: Analysing Student Reasonging in Wave Phyiscs International Journal of Science Education, 24:1, 97-118 (2002)

E.E. Prather and R.R. Harrington Student Understanding of Ionizing Radiation and Radioactivity: Recognizing the Differences Between Irradiation and Contamination Journal of College Science Teaching, 31:2, 89-93 (2001)

M.C. Wittmann Investigating Student Understanding of Quantum Physics: Models of Conductivity Newsletter of the American Society of Black Physicists, special issue on physics education research, March (2001).

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

M.C. Wittmann, R.N. Steinberg, E.F. Redish Making Sense of How Students Make Sense of Mechanical Waves The Physics Teacher 37, 15-21 (1999)

R.R. Harrington New Standards for Teaching Middle School Science: Now That We Have Them, What Do We Do? Journal of Research in Rural Education, 13:1, 37-46 (Spring 1997).

R.N. Steinberg, M.C. Wittmann, E.F. Redish, Mathematical Tutorials In Introductory Physics Sample class, in The Changing Role Of Physics Departments In Modern University, AIP Conference Proceedings 399 (AIP, 1997) 1075-1092.

R.R. Harrington and E.E. Prather Using an Introductory Physics Course to Train Pre-Service and In-Service Teachers Contributed Poster, in The Changing Role Of Physics Departments In Modern University, AIP Conference Proceedings 399 (AIP, 1997) 797-799.

M.C. Wittmann Student Difficulties in Understanding Mechanical Waves: An Overview of Research Results White paper written for the University of Maryland, College Park Physics Education Research Group, (22 May 1996).

Invited Talks

M.C. Wittmann Using Learning Theories to Model Students’ Conceptual Changes (abstract) 129th AAPT National Meeting, Sacramento CA, 2004 August. The Announcer 34(2) 114.

J.R. Thompson A Graduate Course in Physics Education Research at the University of Maine (abstract) 128th AAPT National Meeting, Miami Beach FL, 2004 January

J.R. Thompson Promoting the understanding of teaching and learning in physics : Graduate courses in physics education research Physics Education Research Conference, Madison, WI, 2003 August.

J.R. Thompson Research on student understanding in physics: an example from two-dimensional kinematics Twenty-third state wide meeting of high school physics teachers, Orono, ME, 2003 May.

J.R. Thompson Discipline-based education research as a guide to teaching and learning: examples from physics. The University of New Hampshire, Analytical/Physical Chemistry Seminar, Durham, NH, 2003 May.

J.R. Thompson, M.C. Wittmann, S.J. Kaback Promoting the understanding of teaching and learning in physics The University of Maine Center for Science and Mathematics Education Research Brown Bag Seminar, April 2003,

M.C. Wittmann Conceptual knowledge in quantum physics: Student reasoning about charge flow invited talk at the April national meeting of the American Physical Society, Philadelphia PA, 2003 April.

M.C. Wittmann Assessment in active learning: Pre- and post-testing in physics invited talk at the workshop on “Active Learning,” Center for Teaching Excellence, University of Maine, 2003 March.

N. Gillespie, M.C. Wittmann, R.E. Scherr The negotiation of relevance: Student inference in clinical interviews (abstract) 126th American Association of Physics Teachers National Meeting, Austin TX, 2003 January.

M.C. Wittmann Making Meaning: Emergent cognition in physics and physics education research (abstract) 126th American Association of Physics Teachers National Meeting, Austin TX, 2003 January.

M.C. Wittmann, R.E. Scherr Epistemology mediating conceptual knowledge: Constraints on data accessible from interviews(abstract) 126th American Association of Physics Teachers National Meeting, Austin TX, 2003 January.

R.E. Scherr, M.C. Wittmann The challenge of listening: Selective attention in clinical interviews (abstract) 126th American Association of Physics Teachers National Meeting, Austin TX, 2003 January.

M.C. Wittmann The role of conceptual and meta-cognition reasoning in the learning quantum physics colloquium held at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), Worcester MA, 2002 Sep 30

M.C. Wittmann The role of conceptual and meta-cognition reasoning in the learning quantum physics colloquium held at Bates, Lewiston ME, 2002 Sep 13

M.C. Wittmann Intuition and Inquiry in the Investigation of Conceptual and Meta-cognitive Reasoning seminar held at The University of Maryland, College Park MD, 2002 Sep 5

M.C. Wittmann, J.R. Thompson A Course in Physics Education Research for Teachers, Scientists, and Researchers “The challenge of listening: The effect of research agenda on data collection and interpretation,” University of Maine Center for Science and Mathematics Education Summer Conference: “Integrating Science and Mathematics Education Research into Teaching,” 2002 June.

M.C. Wittmann Student understanding of conductivity: Interviews, classroom discussions, and tools for improved student learning University of New Hampshire, 2002 February 11.

M.C. Wittmann Student understanding of conductivity: Interviews, classroom discussions, and tools for improved student learning University of Rhode Island, 2002 February 8.

M.C. Wittmann Classroom Interactions and Learning in the Context of a Curriculum for Teaching Conductivity (abstract) 124th AAPT National Meeting, Philadelphia PA, 2002 January.

M.C. Wittmann Standardized tests as predictors of student performance in advanced physics classes University of Maine, December 2001.

M.C. Wittmann Evaluating Student Model Building in Quantum Physics University of Maine, February, 2001.

M.C. Wittmann Disseminating Innovative Curricula: A Modified Role for Dissemination Sites (abstract) 122nd AAPT National Meeting, San Diego CA, January 2001.

M.C. Wittmann Making Sense of Student Reasoning in the Classroom: Lessons from Mechanical Waves in a Larger Context The Ohio State University, March 2000.

M.C. Wittmann Making Sense of Student Reasoning in the Classroom: Lessons from Mechanical Waves in a Larger Context University of Maine, February 2000.

M.C. Wittmann Issues in Implementing a New Curriculum in Quantum Mechanics The Ohio State University, November 1999.

M.C. Wittmann RealTime Physics Dissemination Project: Evaluation at Test Sites University of Oregon, October, 1999.

M.C. Wittmann Student use of multiple models in physics: Examples from wave and quantum physics North Carolina State University, July 20, 1999.

M.C. Wittmann Student use of multiple models in wave and quantum physics Bremen University, Germany, June 1999.

M.C. Wittmann Research and Curriculum Development to Address Student Understanding of Wave Physics 118th AAPT National Meeting, Anaheim CA,1999 January

M.C. Wittmann Student Use of Multiple Models When Making Sense of Physics: An Example From Mechanical Waves Summer School of the European Science Education Research Association, Marly-le-Roi, France, August 1998. To see an on-line version of a more complete version of this talk, see Wittmann's defense talk.

E.F. Redish (presented by M.C. Wittmann) The Science of Teaching Physics: What do we know and how do we know it? seminar, Two-Year College Introductory Physics Conference III, Joliet IL, Joliet Junior College, June 1998.

M.C. Wittmann Investigation and Addressing Student Difficulties with Physics: An Example from Mechanical Waves Two-Year College Introductory Physics Conference III, Joliet IL, Joliet Junior College, June, 1998. To see an on-line version of a more complete version of this talk, see Wittmann's defense talk.

M.C. Wittmann Making sense of student models of physics: An example from mechanical waves University of Maryland, October 1998. To see an on-line version of a more complete version of this talk, see Wittmann's defense talk.

M.C. Wittmann Student Difficulties with Wave Concepts University of Maryland, September 1997.

Contributed Talks

E. Bianchi, M. Dudley, J.T. Morgan, and M.C. Wittmann Modifying instruction in mechanics to address student learning of electrostatics (abstract) 131st AAPT National Meeting, Salt Lake City UT, 2005 August. The Announcer 35(2).

J.T. Morgan, M.C. Wittmann Students revised models of quantum tunneling in a reform curriculum (abstract) 131st AAPT National Meeting, Salt Lake City UT, 2005 August. The Announcer 35(2).

E.C. Sayre and M.C. Wittmann Plasticity and the Differential (abstract) 131st AAPT National Meeting, Salt Lake City UT, 2005 August. The Announcer 35(2).

M.C. Wittmann, J.T. Morgan, K. Black, and R.P. Springuel General Education Students Understanding of Quantum Wavefunctions (abstract) 131st AAPT National Meeting, Salt Lake City UT, 2005 August. The Announcer 35(2).

R. Feeley, J.R. Thompson, and M.C. Wittmann Identifying Student Concepts of Gravity (abstract) 129th AAPT National Meeting, Sacramento CA, 2004 August. The Announcer 34(2) 116.

M.C. Wittmann Conceptual Learning in a General Education Quantum Physics Course (abstract) 129th AAPT National Meeting, Sacramento CA, 2004 August. The Announcer 34(2) 172.

J.T. Morgan, M.C. Wittmann A Survey to Investigate Student Understanding of Quantum Tunneling (abstract) 129th AAPT National Meeting, Sacramento CA, 2004 August. The Announcer 34(2) 172.

E.C. Sayre, M.C. Wittmann Advanced Mechanics Students' Conflicts Between Physics and Mathematics Intuitions (abstract) 129th AAPT National Meeting, Sacramento CA, 2004 August. The Announcer 34(2) 184

E.R. Sayre, M.C. Wittmann Student Selection of Reasoning Resources in Nearly-Novel Situations (abstract) 128th AAPT National Meeting, Miami Beach FL, 2004 January. The Announcer 33(4) 133.

M.C. Wittmann Concepts and Epistemologies in a General Education Quantum Physics Course (abstract) 128th AAPT National Meeting, Miami Beach FL, 2004 January. The Announcer 33(4) 133.

K.VP. Menchen and J.R. Thompson Teacher understanding of propagation and resonance phenomena in sound (abstract) 127th AAPT National Meeting, Madison, WI, 2003 August

J.T. Morgan and M.C. Wittmann Student understanding of quantum tunneling (abstract) 27th AAPT National Meeting, Madison WI, 2003 August. The Announcer 33(2) 105.

T. Lyons, J.R. Thompson, and M.C. Wittmann Context dependence of student understanding of simple graphs (abstract) 127th AAPT National Meeting, Madison WI, 2003 August. The Announcer 33(2) 96.

M.C. Wittmann, J.T. Morgan, and J.R. Thompson Student Reasoning about Quantum Tunneling Fermi School in Physics Education Research, Varenna, Italy, 2003 July

J.R. Thompson and M.C. Wittmann Promoting understanding of teaching and learning in physics: A graduate course in physics education research Joint American Physical Society (APS)/American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) Regional Meeting, New England Section, Williams College, Williamstown, MA, 2003 April

M.C. Wittmann Evaluating the Dissemination of a Research-Based Curriculum: Summary Report (abstract) 124th AAPT National Meeting, Philadelphia PA, 2002 January. The Announcer 31(4) 71.

J.R. Thompson Preparing inservice and preservice elementary teachers to teach sound: A research-based approach (abstract) 123rd AAPT National Meeting, Rochester, NY, July 2001. The Announcer 31(2)

M.C. Wittmann Using standardized tests as predictors in advanced physics classes (abstract) 123rd AAPT National Meeting, Rochester NY, 2001 July. The Announcer 31(2) 111.

A. Elby, M.C. Wittmann What the 'FCI invalidity' results really show (abstract) 123rd AAPT National Meeting, Rochester NY, July 2001. The Announcer 31(2) 127.

M.C. Wittmann, E.F. Redish Analyzing Student Expectations of Physics in a Modified Quantum Physics Course (abstract) 122nd AAPT National Meeting, San Diego CA, January 2001. The Announcer 30(4).

M.C. Wittmann, R.N. Steinberg, E.F. Redish Evaluating Student Reasoning in the Context of a Modified Modern Physics Curriculum 121st AAPT National Meeting, Guelph, Canada, August 2000

R. Lippmann, M.C. Wittmann Developing and evaluating research-based curriculum materials to help students understand concepts of spectroscopy (abstract) 121st AAPT National Meeting, Guelph, Canada, August 2000

E.F. Redish, M.C. Wittmann Affecting Student Reasoning in the Context of Qauntum Tunneling (abstract) 121st AAPT National Meeting, Guelph, Canada, August 2000

C. v. Breen, M.C. Wittmann Continuing Evaluation of Secondary Implementation of RealTime Physics and Interactive Lecture Demonstrations (abstract) 121st AAPT National Meeting, Guelph, Canada, August 2000

M.C. Wittmann, Bao Lei, R.N. Steinberg, E.F. Redish Curriculum Development to Address Student Difficulties with Models of Conductivity 119th AAPT National Meeting, San Antonio TX, August 1999

M.C. Wittmann A Diagnostic Test to Investigate Student Use of Multiple Models of Mechanical Waves 117th AAPT National Meeting , Lincoln NE, August 1998. To see an on-line version of a more complete version of this talk, see Wittmann's defense talk

Michael C. Wittmann, Richard N. Steinberg, Edward F. Redish Investigation of Student Difficulties with Mechanical Waves with a Specially Designed Diagnostic Test Regional meeting of the American Association of Physics Teachers, Chesapeake Section, May 1998, University of Maryland, Baltimore Campus, Baltimore MD. To see an on-line version of a more complete version of this talk, see Wittmann's defense talk.

M.C. Wittmann, M. Sabella, R.N. Steinberg, E.F. Redish Identifying and Addressing Student Difficulties with Sound Waves 115th AAPT National Meeting, Denver CO, August 1997.

M.C. Wittmann, E.F. Redish, and R.N. Steinberg Identifying and Addressing Student Difficulties with Mechanical Waves (propagation) 113th AAPT National Meeting, College Park MD, August 1996.

J.M. Saul, M.C. Wittmann, R.N. Steinberg, and E.F. Redish Student Difficulties with Math in Physics: Why can't Students Apply What They Learn in Math Class? 113th AAPT National Meeting, College Park MD, August 1996.

R.N. Steinberg, J.M. Saul, M.C. Wittmann, and E.F. Redish Student Difficulties Understanding the role of Mathematics in Introductory Physics Joint APS/AAPT Meeting, Indianapolis IN, May 1996.

Michael C. Wittmann, E.F. Redish, and R.N. Steinberg Identifying and Addressing Student Difficulties with Mechanical Waves (superposition) Regional meeting of the AAPT, York PA, March 1996.

Contributed Posters

J.T. Morgan, M.C. Wittmann A longitudinal study of student learning of quantum tunneling Physics Education Research Conference, Salt Lake City UT, August 2005.

E.C. Sayre and M.C. Wittmann Plasticity and student use of the differential in an intermediate mechanics class Physics Education Research Conference, Salt Lake City UT, August 2005.

M.C. Wittmann, J.T. Morgan, K. Black, and R.P. Springuel General Education Students Understanding of Quantum Wavefunctions Physics Education Research Conference, Salt Lake City UT, 2005 August.

J.T. Morgan, M.C. Wittmann A survey to investigate student understanding of quantum tunneling Physics Education Research Conference, Sacramento CA, 2004 August.

R.E. Feeley, J.R. Thompson, M.C. Wittmann Identifying student concepts of gravity Physics Education Research Conference, Sacramento CA, 2004 August.

M.C. Wittmann What changes during conceptual change? Physics Education Research Conference, Sacramento CA, 2004 August.

E.C. Sayre, M.C. Wittmann The Structure of Intermediate Mechanics Students Physics and Mathematics Intuitions Physics Education Research Conference, Sacramento CA, 2004 August.

T. Lyons, M.C. Wittmann, J.R. Thompson Context dependence of student understanding of simple graphs Physics Education Research Conference, Madison, WI, August 2003.

K.VP. Menchen, J.R. Thompson Teacher understanding of propagation and resonance phenomena in sound Physics Education Research Conference, Madison, WI, August 2003.

J.T. Morgan, M.C. Wittmann, J.R. Thompson Student Understanding of Tunneling in Quantum Mechanics: Examining Survey Results Physics Education Research Conference, Madison, WI, August 2003.

E.C. Sayre, M.C. Wittmann. J.R. Thompson Resource Selection in Nearly-Novel Situations Physics Education Research Conference, Madison, WI, August 2003.

J.T. Morgan, M.C. Wittmann, J.R. Thompson An investigation into student understanding of tunneling University of Maine Association of Graduate Students Research Exposition, Orono, ME, April 2003.

M.C. Wittmann, R.E. Scherr The challenge of listening: The effect of research agenda on data collection and interpretation Physics Education Research Conference, 2002 Aug 7.

M.C. Wittmann, R.E. Scherr Student epistemological stance constraining researcher access to student thinking: An example from an interview on charge flow Physics Education Research Conference, 2002 Aug 7.

J.R. Thompson Preparing inservice and preservice elementary teachers to teach sound: A research-based approach. “University of Maine Center for Science and Mathematics Education Summer Conference: “Integrating Science and Mathematics Education Research into Teaching,” 2002 June.

R.E. Scherr, M.C. Wittmann The challenge of listening: The effect of research agenda on data collection and interpretation “University of Maine Center for Science and Mathematics Education Summer Conference: “Integrating Science and Mathematics Education Research into Teaching,” 2002 June.

J.R. Thompson Preparing inservice and preservice elementary teachers to teach sound: A research-based approach Physics Education Research Conference, Rochester, NY, 2001 July.

Department of Physics and Astronomy
College of Education and Human Development
Center for Science and Mathematics Education Research

Contact Information

Michael C. Wittmann
-or-
John R. Thompson
Department of Physics and Astronomy
5709 Bennett Hall
University of Maine
Orono ME 04401-5709

tel: Michael C. Wittmann: 207 - 581 - 1237
tel: John R. Thompson: 207 - 581 - 1030

fax: 207 - 581 - 3410

Books
M.C. Wittmann, R.N. Steinberg, and E.F. Redish	Activity-Based Tutorials Vol 1: Introductory Physics	John Wiley & Sons, Inc. as part of the Physics Suite (2004)
M.C. Wittmann, R.N. Steinberg, and E.F. Redish	Activity-Based Tutorials Vol 2: Modern Physics	John Wiley & Sons, Inc. as part of the Physics Suite (2005)

Dissertations and Theses
K. VP. Menchen	Investigations of Student Understanding of Sound Propagation and Resonance	Unpublished M.S.T. thesis, University of Maine, 2005
E.C. Sayre	Advanced Students' Resource Selection in Nearly-Novel Situations	Unpublished M.S.T. thesis, University of Maine, 2005
M.C. Wittmann	Making Sense of How Students Come to an Understanding of Physics: An Example from Mechanical Waves	Unpublished Ph.D. dissertation, University of Maryland, 1998

Papers
E.B. Pollock, J.R. Thompson, D.B. Mountcastle	Student Understanding of the Physics and Mathematics of Process Variables In P-V Diagrams	Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings 2007 (to appear 2008)
D.B. Mountcastle, B.R. Bucy, J.R. Thompson	Student Estimates of Probability and Uncertainty in Advanced Laboratory and Statistical Physics Courses	Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings 2007 (to appear 2008)
B.R. Bucy, J.R. Thompson, D.B. Mountcastle	Student (Mis)application of Partial Differentiation to Material Properties	2006 Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings, edited by P. Heron, L. McCullough, and J. Marx, AIP Conference Proceedings 883, 157-160 (2007)
B.R. Bucy, J.R. Thompson, D.B. Mountcastle	What is Entropy? Advanced Undergraduate Performance Comparing Ideal Gas Processes	2005 Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings, edited by P. Heron, L. McCullough, and J. Marx, AIP Conference Proceedings 818, 77-80 (2006)
J.R. Thompson, B.R. Bucy, D.B. Mountcastle	Assessing Student Understanding of Partial Derivatives in Thermodynamics	2005 Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings, edited by P. Heron, L. McCullough, and J. Marx, AIP Conference Proceedings 818, 77-80 (2006)
M.C. Wittmann, J.T. Morgan, and L. Bao	Addressing student models of energy loss in quantum tunneling	European Journal of Physics 26, 939–950 (2005)
S. Kanim, J.R. Thompson	Magnetic Field Viewing Cards	The Physics Teacher, 43:6, 355–359 (2005)
E.F.Redish, and M.C. Wittmann,	Twenty Questions for PER	Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings, 2004, edited by J. Marx, S. Franklin, and P. Heron, AIP Conference Proceedings (in press, 2005)
J.C.Owen, S.A.Norton, K. Maash, and M.C. Wittmann	Design, Implementation, and Assessment of an Earth Systems Science Course for Secondary Teachers	Journal of Geoscience Education, 52:4 (2004)
M.C. Wittmann, E.F. Redish, and R.N. Steinberg	Understanding and Addressing Student Reasoning about Sound	International Journal of Science Education 25:8, 991-1013 (2003)
M.C. Wittmann	Understanding Coordinated Sets of Resources: An Example from Quantum Tunneling	Proceedings of the Fermi School in Physics Education Research, Varenna, Italy, 2003 July. (white paper, web posting only)
K. VP. Menchen and J.R. Thompson	Pre-service teacher understanding of propagation and resonance in sound phenomena	in S. Franklin, K. Cummings, J. Marx (Eds.) Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings 2003, AIP Conference Proceedings 720, 65-68 (2004)
J.T. Morgan, M.C. Wittmann, and J.R. Thompson	Student Understanding of Tunneling in Quantum Mechanics: Examining Survey Results	in S. Franklin, K. Cummings, J. Marx (Eds.) Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings 2003, AIP Conference Proceedings 720, 97-100 (2004).
M.C. Wittmann, J.T. Morgan	Understanding Data Analysis from Multiple Viewpoints: An Example from Quantum Tunneling	in S. Franklin, K. Cummings, J. Marx (Eds.) Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings 2003, AIP Conference Proceedings 720, 3-6 (2004).
E.C. Sayre, M.C. Wittmann, and J.R. Thompson	Resource Selection in Nearly-Novel Situations	in S. Franklin, K. Cummings, J. Marx (Eds.) Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings 2003, AIP Conference Proceedings 720, 101-104 (2004).
R.E. Scherr and M.C. Wittmann	The challenge of listening: The effect of research agenda on data collection and interpretation	In S. Franklin, K. Cummings, J. Marx (Eds.) Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings 2002.(2003)
M.C. Wittmann and R.E. Scherr	Student epistemological stance constraining researcher access to student thinking: An example from an interview on charge flow	In S. Franklin, K. Cummings, J. Marx (Eds.) Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings 2002.(2003)
M.C. Wittmann	Limitations in predicting student performance on standardized tests	In S. Franklin, K. Cummings, J. Marx (Eds.) Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings 2002.(2003)
M.C. Wittmann	On the dissemination of a proven curriculum: RealTime Physics and Interactive Lecture Demonstrations	White paper web publication of FIPSE external evaluator report for the RTP/ILD dissemination project
M.C. Wittmann, R.N. Steinberg, and E.F. Redish	Investigating Student Understanding of Quantum Mechanics: Spontaneous Models of Conductivity	American Journal of Physics, 70:3, 218-226 (2002)
M.C. Wittmann	The Object Coordiantion Class Applied to Wavepulses: Analysing Student Reasonging in Wave Phyiscs	International Journal of Science Education, 24:1, 97-118 (2002)
E.E. Prather and R.R. Harrington	Student Understanding of Ionizing Radiation and Radioactivity: Recognizing the Differences Between Irradiation and Contamination	Journal of College Science Teaching, 31:2, 89-93 (2001)
M.C. Wittmann	Investigating Student Understanding of Quantum Physics: Models of Conductivity	Newsletter of the American Society of Black Physicists, special issue on physics education research, March (2001).
R.N. Steinberg, M.C. Wittmann, Lei Bao, and E.F. Redish	The influence of student understanding of classical physics when learning quantum mechanics	Research on the Teaching and Learning of Quantum Sciences, NARST Annual Meeting, Boston (March, 1999)
M.C. Wittmann, R.N. Steinberg, E.F. Redish	Making Sense of How Students Make Sense of Mechanical Waves	The Physics Teacher 37, 15-21 (1999)
R.R. Harrington	New Standards for Teaching Middle School Science: Now That We Have Them, What Do We Do?	Journal of Research in Rural Education, 13:1, 37-46 (Spring 1997).
R.N. Steinberg, M.C. Wittmann, E.F. Redish,	Mathematical Tutorials In Introductory Physics	Sample class, in The Changing Role Of Physics Departments In Modern University, AIP Conference Proceedings 399 (AIP, 1997) 1075-1092.
R.R. Harrington and E.E. Prather	Using an Introductory Physics Course to Train Pre-Service and In-Service Teachers	Contributed Poster, in The Changing Role Of Physics Departments In Modern University, AIP Conference Proceedings 399 (AIP, 1997) 797-799.
M.C. Wittmann	Student Difficulties in Understanding Mechanical Waves: An Overview of Research Results	White paper written for the University of Maryland, College Park Physics Education Research Group, (22 May 1996).

Invited Talks
M.C. Wittmann	Using Learning Theories to Model Students’ Conceptual Changes (abstract)	129th AAPT National Meeting, Sacramento CA, 2004 August. The Announcer 34(2) 114.
J.R. Thompson	A Graduate Course in Physics Education Research at the University of Maine (abstract)	128th AAPT National Meeting, Miami Beach FL, 2004 January
J.R. Thompson	Promoting the understanding of teaching and learning in physics : Graduate courses in physics education research	Physics Education Research Conference, Madison, WI, 2003 August.
J.R. Thompson	Research on student understanding in physics: an example from two-dimensional kinematics	Twenty-third state wide meeting of high school physics teachers, Orono, ME, 2003 May.
J.R. Thompson	Discipline-based education research as a guide to teaching and learning: examples from physics.	The University of New Hampshire, Analytical/Physical Chemistry Seminar, Durham, NH, 2003 May.
J.R. Thompson, M.C. Wittmann, S.J. Kaback	Promoting the understanding of teaching and learning in physics	The University of Maine Center for Science and Mathematics Education Research Brown Bag Seminar, April 2003,
M.C. Wittmann	Conceptual knowledge in quantum physics: Student reasoning about charge flow	invited talk at the April national meeting of the American Physical Society, Philadelphia PA, 2003 April.
M.C. Wittmann	Assessment in active learning: Pre- and post-testing in physics	invited talk at the workshop on “Active Learning,” Center for Teaching Excellence, University of Maine, 2003 March.
N. Gillespie, M.C. Wittmann, R.E. Scherr	The negotiation of relevance: Student inference in clinical interviews (abstract)	126th American Association of Physics Teachers National Meeting, Austin TX, 2003 January.
M.C. Wittmann	Making Meaning: Emergent cognition in physics and physics education research (abstract)	126th American Association of Physics Teachers National Meeting, Austin TX, 2003 January.
M.C. Wittmann, R.E. Scherr	Epistemology mediating conceptual knowledge: Constraints on data accessible from interviews(abstract)	126th American Association of Physics Teachers National Meeting, Austin TX, 2003 January.
R.E. Scherr, M.C. Wittmann	The challenge of listening: Selective attention in clinical interviews (abstract)	126th American Association of Physics Teachers National Meeting, Austin TX, 2003 January.
M.C. Wittmann	The role of conceptual and meta-cognition reasoning in the learning quantum physics	colloquium held at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), Worcester MA, 2002 Sep 30
M.C. Wittmann	The role of conceptual and meta-cognition reasoning in the learning quantum physics	colloquium held at Bates, Lewiston ME, 2002 Sep 13
M.C. Wittmann	Intuition and Inquiry in the Investigation of Conceptual and Meta-cognitive Reasoning	seminar held at The University of Maryland, College Park MD, 2002 Sep 5
M.C. Wittmann, J.R. Thompson	A Course in Physics Education Research for Teachers, Scientists, and Researchers	“The challenge of listening: The effect of research agenda on data collection and interpretation,” University of Maine Center for Science and Mathematics Education Summer Conference: “Integrating Science and Mathematics Education Research into Teaching,” 2002 June.
M.C. Wittmann	Student understanding of conductivity: Interviews, classroom discussions, and tools for improved student learning	University of New Hampshire, 2002 February 11.
M.C. Wittmann	Student understanding of conductivity: Interviews, classroom discussions, and tools for improved student learning	University of Rhode Island, 2002 February 8.
M.C. Wittmann	Classroom Interactions and Learning in the Context of a Curriculum for Teaching Conductivity (abstract)	124th AAPT National Meeting, Philadelphia PA, 2002 January.
M.C. Wittmann	Standardized tests as predictors of student performance in advanced physics classes	University of Maine, December 2001.
M.C. Wittmann	Evaluating Student Model Building in Quantum Physics	University of Maine, February, 2001.
M.C. Wittmann	Disseminating Innovative Curricula: A Modified Role for Dissemination Sites (abstract)	122nd AAPT National Meeting, San Diego CA, January 2001.
M.C. Wittmann	Making Sense of Student Reasoning in the Classroom: Lessons from Mechanical Waves in a Larger Context	The Ohio State University, March 2000.
M.C. Wittmann	Making Sense of Student Reasoning in the Classroom: Lessons from Mechanical Waves in a Larger Context	University of Maine, February 2000.
M.C. Wittmann	Issues in Implementing a New Curriculum in Quantum Mechanics	The Ohio State University, November 1999.
M.C. Wittmann	RealTime Physics Dissemination Project: Evaluation at Test Sites	University of Oregon, October, 1999.
M.C. Wittmann	Student use of multiple models in physics: Examples from wave and quantum physics	North Carolina State University, July 20, 1999.
M.C. Wittmann	Student use of multiple models in wave and quantum physics	Bremen University, Germany, June 1999.
M.C. Wittmann	Research and Curriculum Development to Address Student Understanding of Wave Physics	118th AAPT National Meeting, Anaheim CA,1999 January
M.C. Wittmann	Student Use of Multiple Models When Making Sense of Physics: An Example From Mechanical Waves	Summer School of the European Science Education Research Association, Marly-le-Roi, France, August 1998. To see an on-line version of a more complete version of this talk, see Wittmann's defense talk.
E.F. Redish (presented by M.C. Wittmann)	The Science of Teaching Physics: What do we know and how do we know it?	seminar, Two-Year College Introductory Physics Conference III, Joliet IL, Joliet Junior College, June 1998.
M.C. Wittmann	Investigation and Addressing Student Difficulties with Physics: An Example from Mechanical Waves	Two-Year College Introductory Physics Conference III, Joliet IL, Joliet Junior College, June, 1998. To see an on-line version of a more complete version of this talk, see Wittmann's defense talk.
M.C. Wittmann	Making sense of student models of physics: An example from mechanical waves	University of Maryland, October 1998. To see an on-line version of a more complete version of this talk, see Wittmann's defense talk.
M.C. Wittmann	Student Difficulties with Wave Concepts	University of Maryland, September 1997.

Contributed Talks
E. Bianchi, M. Dudley, J.T. Morgan, and M.C. Wittmann	Modifying instruction in mechanics to address student learning of electrostatics (abstract)	131st AAPT National Meeting, Salt Lake City UT, 2005 August. The Announcer 35(2).
J.T. Morgan, M.C. Wittmann	Students revised models of quantum tunneling in a reform curriculum (abstract)	131st AAPT National Meeting, Salt Lake City UT, 2005 August. The Announcer 35(2).
E.C. Sayre and M.C. Wittmann	Plasticity and the Differential (abstract)	131st AAPT National Meeting, Salt Lake City UT, 2005 August. The Announcer 35(2).
M.C. Wittmann, J.T. Morgan, K. Black, and R.P. Springuel	General Education Students Understanding of Quantum Wavefunctions (abstract)	131st AAPT National Meeting, Salt Lake City UT, 2005 August. The Announcer 35(2).
R. Feeley, J.R. Thompson, and M.C. Wittmann	Identifying Student Concepts of Gravity (abstract)	129th AAPT National Meeting, Sacramento CA, 2004 August. The Announcer 34(2) 116.
M.C. Wittmann	Conceptual Learning in a General Education Quantum Physics Course (abstract)	129th AAPT National Meeting, Sacramento CA, 2004 August. The Announcer 34(2) 172.
J.T. Morgan, M.C. Wittmann	A Survey to Investigate Student Understanding of Quantum Tunneling (abstract)	129th AAPT National Meeting, Sacramento CA, 2004 August. The Announcer 34(2) 172.
E.C. Sayre, M.C. Wittmann	Advanced Mechanics Students' Conflicts Between Physics and Mathematics Intuitions (abstract)	129th AAPT National Meeting, Sacramento CA, 2004 August. The Announcer 34(2) 184
E.R. Sayre, M.C. Wittmann	Student Selection of Reasoning Resources in Nearly-Novel Situations (abstract)	128th AAPT National Meeting, Miami Beach FL, 2004 January. The Announcer 33(4) 133.
M.C. Wittmann	Concepts and Epistemologies in a General Education Quantum Physics Course (abstract)	128th AAPT National Meeting, Miami Beach FL, 2004 January. The Announcer 33(4) 133.
K.VP. Menchen and J.R. Thompson	Teacher understanding of propagation and resonance phenomena in sound (abstract)	127th AAPT National Meeting, Madison, WI, 2003 August
J.T. Morgan and M.C. Wittmann	Student understanding of quantum tunneling (abstract)	27th AAPT National Meeting, Madison WI, 2003 August. The Announcer 33(2) 105.
T. Lyons, J.R. Thompson, and M.C. Wittmann	Context dependence of student understanding of simple graphs (abstract)	127th AAPT National Meeting, Madison WI, 2003 August. The Announcer 33(2) 96.
M.C. Wittmann, J.T. Morgan, and J.R. Thompson	Student Reasoning about Quantum Tunneling	Fermi School in Physics Education Research, Varenna, Italy, 2003 July
J.R. Thompson and M.C. Wittmann	Promoting understanding of teaching and learning in physics: A graduate course in physics education research	Joint American Physical Society (APS)/American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) Regional Meeting, New England Section, Williams College, Williamstown, MA, 2003 April
M.C. Wittmann	Evaluating the Dissemination of a Research-Based Curriculum: Summary Report (abstract)	124th AAPT National Meeting, Philadelphia PA, 2002 January. The Announcer 31(4) 71.
J.R. Thompson	Preparing inservice and preservice elementary teachers to teach sound: A research-based approach (abstract)	123rd AAPT National Meeting, Rochester, NY, July 2001. The Announcer 31(2)
M.C. Wittmann	Using standardized tests as predictors in advanced physics classes (abstract)	123rd AAPT National Meeting, Rochester NY, 2001 July. The Announcer 31(2) 111.
A. Elby, M.C. Wittmann	What the 'FCI invalidity' results really show (abstract)	123rd AAPT National Meeting, Rochester NY, July 2001. The Announcer 31(2) 127.
M.C. Wittmann, E.F. Redish	Analyzing Student Expectations of Physics in a Modified Quantum Physics Course (abstract)	122nd AAPT National Meeting, San Diego CA, January 2001. The Announcer 30(4).
M.C. Wittmann, R.N. Steinberg, E.F. Redish	Evaluating Student Reasoning in the Context of a Modified Modern Physics Curriculum	121st AAPT National Meeting, Guelph, Canada, August 2000
R. Lippmann, M.C. Wittmann	Developing and evaluating research-based curriculum materials to help students understand concepts of spectroscopy (abstract)	121st AAPT National Meeting, Guelph, Canada, August 2000
E.F. Redish, M.C. Wittmann	Affecting Student Reasoning in the Context of Qauntum Tunneling (abstract)	121st AAPT National Meeting, Guelph, Canada, August 2000
C. v. Breen, M.C. Wittmann	Continuing Evaluation of Secondary Implementation of RealTime Physics and Interactive Lecture Demonstrations (abstract)	121st AAPT National Meeting, Guelph, Canada, August 2000
M.C. Wittmann, Bao Lei, R.N. Steinberg, E.F. Redish	Curriculum Development to Address Student Difficulties with Models of Conductivity	119th AAPT National Meeting, San Antonio TX, August 1999
M.C. Wittmann	A Diagnostic Test to Investigate Student Use of Multiple Models of Mechanical Waves	117th AAPT National Meeting , Lincoln NE, August 1998. To see an on-line version of a more complete version of this talk, see Wittmann's defense talk
Michael C. Wittmann, Richard N. Steinberg, Edward F. Redish	Investigation of Student Difficulties with Mechanical Waves with a Specially Designed Diagnostic Test	Regional meeting of the American Association of Physics Teachers, Chesapeake Section, May 1998, University of Maryland, Baltimore Campus, Baltimore MD. To see an on-line version of a more complete version of this talk, see Wittmann's defense talk.
M.C. Wittmann, M. Sabella, R.N. Steinberg, E.F. Redish	Identifying and Addressing Student Difficulties with Sound Waves	115th AAPT National Meeting, Denver CO, August 1997.
M.C. Wittmann, E.F. Redish, and R.N. Steinberg	Identifying and Addressing Student Difficulties with Mechanical Waves (propagation)	113th AAPT National Meeting, College Park MD, August 1996.
J.M. Saul, M.C. Wittmann, R.N. Steinberg, and E.F. Redish	Student Difficulties with Math in Physics: Why can't Students Apply What They Learn in Math Class?	113th AAPT National Meeting, College Park MD, August 1996.
R.N. Steinberg, J.M. Saul, M.C. Wittmann, and E.F. Redish	Student Difficulties Understanding the role of Mathematics in Introductory Physics	Joint APS/AAPT Meeting, Indianapolis IN, May 1996.
Michael C. Wittmann, E.F. Redish, and R.N. Steinberg	Identifying and Addressing Student Difficulties with Mechanical Waves (superposition)	Regional meeting of the AAPT, York PA, March 1996.

Contributed Posters
J.T. Morgan, M.C. Wittmann	A longitudinal study of student learning of quantum tunneling	Physics Education Research Conference, Salt Lake City UT, August 2005.
E.C. Sayre and M.C. Wittmann	Plasticity and student use of the differential in an intermediate mechanics class	Physics Education Research Conference, Salt Lake City UT, August 2005.
M.C. Wittmann, J.T. Morgan, K. Black, and R.P. Springuel	General Education Students Understanding of Quantum Wavefunctions	Physics Education Research Conference, Salt Lake City UT, 2005 August.
J.T. Morgan, M.C. Wittmann	A survey to investigate student understanding of quantum tunneling	Physics Education Research Conference, Sacramento CA, 2004 August.
R.E. Feeley, J.R. Thompson, M.C. Wittmann	Identifying student concepts of gravity	Physics Education Research Conference, Sacramento CA, 2004 August.
M.C. Wittmann	What changes during conceptual change?	Physics Education Research Conference, Sacramento CA, 2004 August.
E.C. Sayre, M.C. Wittmann	The Structure of Intermediate Mechanics Students Physics and Mathematics Intuitions	Physics Education Research Conference, Sacramento CA, 2004 August.
T. Lyons, M.C. Wittmann, J.R. Thompson	Context dependence of student understanding of simple graphs	Physics Education Research Conference, Madison, WI, August 2003.
K.VP. Menchen, J.R. Thompson	Teacher understanding of propagation and resonance phenomena in sound	Physics Education Research Conference, Madison, WI, August 2003.
J.T. Morgan, M.C. Wittmann, J.R. Thompson	Student Understanding of Tunneling in Quantum Mechanics: Examining Survey Results	Physics Education Research Conference, Madison, WI, August 2003.
E.C. Sayre, M.C. Wittmann. J.R. Thompson	Resource Selection in Nearly-Novel Situations	Physics Education Research Conference, Madison, WI, August 2003.
J.T. Morgan, M.C. Wittmann, J.R. Thompson	An investigation into student understanding of tunneling	University of Maine Association of Graduate Students Research Exposition, Orono, ME, April 2003.
M.C. Wittmann, R.E. Scherr	The challenge of listening: The effect of research agenda on data collection and interpretation	Physics Education Research Conference, 2002 Aug 7.
M.C. Wittmann, R.E. Scherr	Student epistemological stance constraining researcher access to student thinking: An example from an interview on charge flow	Physics Education Research Conference, 2002 Aug 7.
J.R. Thompson	Preparing inservice and preservice elementary teachers to teach sound: A research-based approach.	“University of Maine Center for Science and Mathematics Education Summer Conference: “Integrating Science and Mathematics Education Research into Teaching,” 2002 June.
R.E. Scherr, M.C. Wittmann	The challenge of listening: The effect of research agenda on data collection and interpretation	“University of Maine Center for Science and Mathematics Education Summer Conference: “Integrating Science and Mathematics Education Research into Teaching,” 2002 June.
J.R. Thompson	Preparing inservice and preservice elementary teachers to teach sound: A research-based approach	Physics Education Research Conference, Rochester, NY, 2001 July.

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Department of Physics and Astronomy College of Education and Human Development Center for Science and Mathematics Education Research

Michael C. Wittmann -or- John R. Thompson Department of Physics and Astronomy 5709 Bennett Hall University of Maine Orono ME 04401-5709

tel: Michael C. Wittmann: 207 - 581 - 1237 tel: John R. Thompson: 207 - 581 - 1030

fax: 207 - 581 - 3410

University of Maine
Physics Education Research Laboratory

Research into Student Learning:
Books, Papers, Talks, Posters

Department of Physics and Astronomy
College of Education and Human Development
Center for Science and Mathematics Education Research

Michael C. Wittmann
-or-
John R. Thompson
Department of Physics and Astronomy
5709 Bennett Hall
University of Maine
Orono ME 04401-5709

tel: Michael C. Wittmann: 207 - 581 - 1237
tel: John R. Thompson: 207 - 581 - 1030