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Physical Review Physics Education Research
written by Chris D. Porter and Andrew F. Heckler
We investigate the effects of guided group work sessions on graduate student performance on a quantum mechanics assessment. Data from a single large Midwestern university were taken over a five-year period, during which guided group work sessions were offered to accompany the graduate-level quantum mechanics course. Students were pre- and post-tested using a set of mostly conceptual items that we call the graduate quantum mechanics assessment. The reliability and validity of this assessment are addressed. A mixed linear model is used to analyze the dependence of post-test scores on factors such as group work attendance, pretest scores, GRE Physics scores, and others. We find a statistically significant effect of group work attendance on post-pre gains, specifically that attendance of one 60-min group work session improves performance on a related post-test item by 6.4%, administered 2–10 weeks after the session. We discuss the lack of a randomized control group and address possible confounding effects such as student self-selection, and attitudinal and motivational factors. Overall, the results of this study indicate that guided group work sessions at the graduate level can be feasible and effective. We note preliminary observations of differences in group interactions and classroom logistics compared to group work at the undergraduate level.
Physical Review Physics Education Research: Volume 16, Issue 2, Pages 020127
Subjects Levels Resource Types
Education - Applied Research
- Active Learning
= Cooperative Learning
- Learning Environment
Education - Basic Research
- Assessment
= Conceptual Assessment
- Student Characteristics
= Ability
= Skills
General Physics
- Physics Education Research
Quantum Physics
- General
- Graduate/Professional
- Reference Material
= Research study
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Free access
License:
This material is released under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license.
Rights Holder:
American Physical Society
DOI:
10.1103/PhysRevPhysEducRes.16.020127
NSF Numbers:
RTA-1735027
DMR-1420451
Keywords:
cooperative learning, upper division cooperative learning, upper division quantum mechanics
Record Creator:
Metadata instance created May 12, 2021 by Bruce Mason
Record Updated:
July 1, 2022 by Caroline Hall
Last Update
when Cataloged:
October 23, 2020
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AIP Format
C. Porter and A. Heckler, , Phys. Rev. Phys. Educ. Res. 16 (2), 020127 (2020), WWW Document, (https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevPhysEducRes.16.020127).
AJP/PRST-PER
C. Porter and A. Heckler, Effectiveness of guided group work in graduate level quantum mechanics, Phys. Rev. Phys. Educ. Res. 16 (2), 020127 (2020), <https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevPhysEducRes.16.020127>.
APA Format
Porter, C., & Heckler, A. (2020, October 23). Effectiveness of guided group work in graduate level quantum mechanics. Phys. Rev. Phys. Educ. Res., 16(2), 020127. Retrieved November 13, 2024, from https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevPhysEducRes.16.020127
Chicago Format
Porter, Chris D., and Andrew F. Heckler. "Effectiveness of guided group work in graduate level quantum mechanics." Phys. Rev. Phys. Educ. Res. 16, no. 2, (October 23, 2020): 020127, https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevPhysEducRes.16.020127 (accessed 13 November 2024).
MLA Format
Porter, Chris D., and Andrew F. Heckler. "Effectiveness of guided group work in graduate level quantum mechanics." Phys. Rev. Phys. Educ. Res. 16.2 (2020): 020127. 13 Nov. 2024 <https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevPhysEducRes.16.020127>.
BibTeX Export Format
@article{ Author = "Chris D. Porter and Andrew F. Heckler", Title = {Effectiveness of guided group work in graduate level quantum mechanics}, Journal = {Phys. Rev. Phys. Educ. Res.}, Volume = {16}, Number = {2}, Pages = {020127}, Month = {October}, Year = {2020} }
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%A Chris D. Porter %A Andrew F. Heckler %T Effectiveness of guided group work in graduate level quantum mechanics %J Phys. Rev. Phys. Educ. Res. %V 16 %N 2 %D October 23, 2020 %P 020127 %U https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevPhysEducRes.16.020127 %O text/html

EndNote Export Format

%0 Journal Article %A Porter, Chris D. %A Heckler, Andrew F. %D October 23, 2020 %T Effectiveness of guided group work in graduate level quantum mechanics %J Phys. Rev. Phys. Educ. Res. %V 16 %N 2 %P 020127 %8 October 23, 2020 %U https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevPhysEducRes.16.020127


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