| Title: | The Use of Physics Words in Everyday Language and Implications for Student Learning |
| Meeting: | 124th AAPT National Meeting: Philadelphia, PA |
| Location: | Meeting Room 303 |
| Date: | Tuesday, Jan. 22 |
| Time: | 10:00 a.m. |
| Author: |
Salomon Itza-Ortiz, Kansas
State Univ. 785-532-1824, sitza@phys.ksu.edu |
| Co-Author(s): | N. Sanjay Rebello, Dean A. Zollman |
| Abstract: | The everyday meaning and usage of several words can differ significantly from their meaning and use in physics. Examining these differences may shed some light on students’ physics learning difficulties. We surveyed students in a conceptual physics course on their use of some words (e.g., force, work) in everyday language, and compared this with the use of these words in physics. Before the topics were introduced in class, students were asked to construct at least three complete sentences that use each of these words. Later, after the topics had been introduced in class, students were asked to explain how their use of these words were similar or different from the ways these words are used in physics. We will present an analysis of our results, and share our insights about the implications for student learning. |
| Footnotes: | *Supported in part by NSF grant #0087788. |