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Same to Us, Different to Them: Numeric Computation versus Symbolic Representation
written by Eugene Torigoe and Gary Gladding
Data from nearly 900 students was used to measure differences in performance on numeric and symbolic questions. Symbolic versions of two numeric kinematics questions were created by replacing numeric values with symbolic variables. The mean score on one of the numeric questions was 50% higher than the analogous symbolic question. An analysis of the written work revealed that the primary identifiable error when working on the symbolic problems was a confusion of the meaning of the variables. The paper concludes with a discussion of possible theoretical explanations and plans for future follow-up studies.
Physics Education Research Conference 2006
Part of the PER Conference series
Syracuse, New York: July 26-27, 2006
Volume 883, Pages 153-156
Subjects Levels Resource Types
Education - Applied Research
- Instructional Material Design
Education - Basic Research
- Cognition
- Learning Theory
General Physics
- Physics Education Research
- Lower Undergraduate
- Reference Material
= Research study
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Formats:
application/pdf
non-digital
Mirror:
https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2508715
Access Rights:
Available for purchase
Restriction:
© 2006 American Institute of Physics
DOI:
10.1063/1.2508715
PACSs:
01.40.Fk
01.40.Ha
Keywords:
PERC 2006, Symbolic questions, learning theory, numerical analysis, numerical questions, symbol manipulation, teaching methods
Record Creator:
Metadata instance created June 4, 2007 by Shawn Weatherford
Record Updated:
July 16, 2013 by Lyle Barbato
Last Update
when Cataloged:
January 30, 2007
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Record Link
AIP Format
E. Torigoe and G. Gladding, , presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2006, Syracuse, New York, 2006, WWW Document, (https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=5263&DocID=2133).
AJP/PRST-PER
E. Torigoe and G. Gladding, Same to Us, Different to Them: Numeric Computation versus Symbolic Representation, presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2006, Syracuse, New York, 2006, <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=5263&DocID=2133>.
APA Format
Torigoe, E., & Gladding, G. (2006, July 26-27). Same to Us, Different to Them: Numeric Computation versus Symbolic Representation. Paper presented at Physics Education Research Conference 2006, Syracuse, New York. Retrieved June 7, 2023, from https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=5263&DocID=2133
Chicago Format
Torigoe, Eugene, and Gary Gladding. "Same to Us, Different to Them: Numeric Computation versus Symbolic Representation." Paper presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2006, Syracuse, New York, July 26-27, 2006. https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=5263&DocID=2133 (accessed 7 June 2023).
MLA Format
Torigoe, Eugene, and Gary Gladding. "Same to Us, Different to Them: Numeric Computation versus Symbolic Representation." Physics Education Research Conference 2006. Syracuse, New York: 2006. 153-156 Vol. 883 of PER Conference. 7 June 2023 <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=5263&DocID=2133>.
BibTeX Export Format
@inproceedings{ Author = "Eugene Torigoe and Gary Gladding", Title = {Same to Us, Different to Them: Numeric Computation versus Symbolic Representation}, BookTitle = {Physics Education Research Conference 2006}, Pages = {153-156}, Address = {Syracuse, New York}, Series = {PER Conference}, Volume = {883}, Month = {July 26-27}, Year = {2006} }
Refer Export Format

%A Eugene Torigoe %A Gary Gladding %T Same to Us, Different to Them: Numeric Computation versus Symbolic Representation %S PER Conference %V 883 %D July 26-27 2006 %P 153-156 %C Syracuse, New York %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=5263&DocID=2133 %O Physics Education Research Conference 2006 %O July 26-27 %O application/pdf

EndNote Export Format

%0 Conference Proceedings %A Torigoe, Eugene %A Gladding, Gary %D July 26-27 2006 %T Same to Us, Different to Them: Numeric Computation versus Symbolic Representation %B Physics Education Research Conference 2006 %C Syracuse, New York %V 883 %P 153-156 %S PER Conference %8 July 26-27 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=5263&DocID=2133


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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.

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Same to Us, Different to Them: Numeric Computation versus Symbolic Representation:


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