PERC 2013 Abstract Detail Page
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| Abstract Title: | Assessing the quality of students’ short written arguments |
|---|---|
| Abstract: | Tutorials in Introductory Physics is a set of instructional materials developed by the Physics Education Group at the University of Washington to improve students' conceptual understanding and reasoning abilities. During a Tutorial, students make sophisticated claims and describe their reasoning in short oral and written arguments. We have observed that students may arrive at a scientifically accepted answer, but face difficulties in adequately supporting their claims. Previous research has examined the adequacy of components (following Toulmin's argumentation pattern) and the accuracy of scientific content in students' arguments. Much of this research focused on scientific arguments related to social issues or long essays in which claims are supported using scientific data. We are extending this analysis to students' responses to examination and homework problems. The aim is the identification of common reasoning difficulties and the development of a tool to assess the quality of students' short written arguments. |
| Abstract Type: | Contributed Poster Presentation |
Author/Organizer Information | |
| Primary Contact: |
Stella Stylianidou University of Washington 531 NE 83rd st Seattle, WA 98115 Phone: 2067872417 |
| Co-Author(s) and Co-Presenter(s) |
Paula Heron, University of Washington |
