PERC 2008 Abstract Detail Page
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| Abstract Title: | Disentangling the Force Concept Inventory Using Latent Class Analysis |
|---|---|
| Abstract: | This study probes the states of knowledge concerning three physics concepts, Newton's Third Law, Newton's Second Law, and the Motion/Force Relationship, as measured by several groups (factors) of FCI items. These knowledge states are not postulated, but rather extracted FCI pre/post instruction records from three universities. For each factor, via patterns of response, students were statistically grouped into "latent classes", subsequently seen to correspond to (groups of) specific student misconceptions. Using Latent Transition Analysis we estimated the (transition) probabilities of students moving, pre/post, between such classes. Transitions in these factors seem uni-directional, towards classes corresponding to fewer misconceptions, indicating gains in understanding at all three universities. However, students in some latent classes are unlikely to learn, and students starting in the bottom classes appear to have virtually no chance of transitioning to the top. These results/methods can aid physics educators by providing detailed assessment of instructional effectiveness. |
| Abstract Type: | Contributed Poster |
Author/Organizer Information | |
| Primary Contact: |
Ivan Ivanov Vanier College 821 Ste. Croix Montreal, Non U.S. H4L 3X9 Phone: 514 744 7400 ext. 7737 |
| Co-Author(s) and Co-Presenter(s) |
Helena Dedic, Vanier College and CSLP Concordia University Steve Rosenfield, Vanier College and CSLP Concordia University Nathaniel Lasry, John Abbott College |
