Journal Article Detail Page
A Research-based Curriculum for Teaching the Photoelectric Effect
written by
Sam B. McKagan, Ward Handley, Katherine Perkins, and Carl E. Wieman
Physics faculty consider the photoelectric effect important, but many erroneously believe it is easy for students to understand. We have developed curriculum on this topic including an interactive computer simulation, interactive lectures with peer instruction, and conceptual and mathematical homework problems. Our curriculum addresses established student difficulties and is designed to achieve two learning goals, for students to be able to (1) correctly predict the results of photoelectric effect experiments, and (2) describe how these results lead to the photon model of light. We designed two exam questions to test these learning goals. Our instruction leads to better student mastery of the first goal than either traditional instruction or previous reformed instruction, with approximately 85% of students correctly predicting the results of changes to the experimental conditions. On the question designed to test the second goal, most students are able to correctly state both the observations made in the photoelectric effect experiment and the inferences that can be made from these observations, but are less successful in drawing a clear logical connection between the observations and inferences. This is likely a symptom of a more general lack of the reasoning skills to logically draw inferences from observations.
American Journal of Physics: Volume 77, Issue 1, Pages 87-94
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Record Link
<a href="https://www.per-central.org/items/detail.cfm?ID=10275">McKagan, S, W. Handley, K. Perkins, and C. Wieman. "A Research-based Curriculum for Teaching the Photoelectric Effect." Am. J. Phys. 77, no. 1, (January 1, 2009): 87-94.</a>
AIP Format
S. McKagan, W. Handley, K. Perkins, and C. Wieman, , Am. J. Phys. 77 (1), 87 (2009), WWW Document, (https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=10275&DocID=1778).
AJP/PRST-PER
S. McKagan, W. Handley, K. Perkins, and C. Wieman, A Research-based Curriculum for Teaching the Photoelectric Effect, Am. J. Phys. 77 (1), 87 (2009), <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=10275&DocID=1778>.
APA Format
McKagan, S., Handley, W., Perkins, K., & Wieman, C. (2009, January 1). A Research-based Curriculum for Teaching the Photoelectric Effect. Am. J. Phys., 77(1), 87-94. Retrieved December 7, 2024, from https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=10275&DocID=1778
Chicago Format
McKagan, S, W. Handley, K. Perkins, and C. Wieman. "A Research-based Curriculum for Teaching the Photoelectric Effect." Am. J. Phys. 77, no. 1, (January 1, 2009): 87-94, https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=10275&DocID=1778 (accessed 7 December 2024).
MLA Format
McKagan, Sam, Ward Handley, Katherine Perkins, and Carl Wieman. "A Research-based Curriculum for Teaching the Photoelectric Effect." Am. J. Phys. 77.1 (2009): 87-94. 7 Dec. 2024 <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=10275&DocID=1778>.
BibTeX Export Format
@article{
Author = "Sam McKagan and Ward Handley and Katherine Perkins and Carl Wieman",
Title = {A Research-based Curriculum for Teaching the Photoelectric Effect},
Journal = {Am. J. Phys.},
Volume = {77},
Number = {1},
Pages = {87-94},
Month = {January},
Year = {2009}
}
Refer Export Format
%A Sam McKagan %A Ward Handley %A Katherine Perkins %A Carl Wieman %T A Research-based Curriculum for Teaching the Photoelectric Effect %J Am. J. Phys. %V 77 %N 1 %D January 1, 2009 %P 87-94 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=10275&DocID=1778 %O application/pdf
EndNote Export Format
%0 Journal Article %A McKagan, Sam %A Handley, Ward %A Perkins, Katherine %A Wieman, Carl %D January 1, 2009 %T A Research-based Curriculum for Teaching the Photoelectric Effect %J Am. J. Phys. %V 77 %N 1 %P 87-94 %8 January 1, 2009 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=10275&DocID=1778 Disclaimer: ComPADRE offers citation styles as a guide only. We cannot offer interpretations about citations as this is an automated procedure. Please refer to the style manuals in the Citation Source Information area for clarifications.
Citation Source Information
The AIP Style presented is based on information from the AIP Style Manual. The AJP/PRST-PER presented is based on the AIP Style with the addition of journal article titles and conference proceeding article titles. The APA Style presented is based on information from APA Style.org: Electronic References. The Chicago Style presented is based on information from Examples of Chicago-Style Documentation. The MLA Style presented is based on information from the MLA FAQ. A Research-based Curriculum for Teaching the Photoelectric Effect:
References
PhET Simulation: Photoelectric Effect
References
Understanding the Photoelectric Effect
References
SEI: Modern Physics Course Materials
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