Two concepts of radiation - a case study investigating existing preconceptions
Journal Title: European Journal of Science and Mathematics Education - Year 2016, Vol 4, Issue 4
Abstract
Conceptual Change is a widely accepted theoretical framework for science education. Setting up successful learning and teaching arrangements in this framework necessarily entails including students´ preconceptions into the construction of those arrangements. In order to provide a basis for such arrangements this study investigated and explored preconceptions about radiation in a qualitative case study with seven students (age 17-18). The use of grounded theory allowed the discovery of deep-rooted conceptions and the formulation of a theory to help learners understand the basic concepts of radiation more quickly and more reliably. The results revealed a new conception „the nature of radiation“, which hampers students’ understanding and interferes with their explanations of radiation. Additionally, analysis of the data revealed interesting conceptions concerning the danger of different types of radiation. These highly interesting findings about the nature of radiation will be embedded in a broader perspective and suggestions for learning and teaching about radiation will be given.
Authors and Affiliations
Thomas Plotz, Martin Hopf
Challenges for Emirati university students in comprehending mathematical text and word problems
The United Arab Emirates has been rapidly developing its educational institutions and trying to adopt a western system of higher education. The government has chosen English to be the medium of instruction in universitie...
Why not start with quarks? Teachers investigate a learning unit on the subatomic structure of matter with 12-year-olds
This paper describes the second in a series of studies exploring the acceptance of the subatomic structure of matter by 12-year-olds. The studies focus on a novel learning unit introducing an atomic model from electrons...
Effects of multiple choice options in mathematics learning
In recent years, the ability to use mathematics flexibly in everyday situations is increasingly accentuated, and mathematics education gives more and more attention to problems with realistic contexts. However, it is re...
The influence of parental background on students’ academic performance in physics in WASSCE 2000 – 2005
The study investigated parental background on student’s academic performance in secondary schools in Abak local government, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. A survey design was adopted for the study. One thousand four hundred a...
Adaptation of conceptions of learning science questionnaire into Turkish and science teacher candidates’ conceptions of learning science
The purposes of this study were to (1) adapt an instrument ‚The Conceptions of Learning Science (COLS) questionnaire? into Turkish, and (2) to determine Turkish science teacher candidates’ COLS. Adapting the instrument f...