PERC 2015 Abstract Detail Page
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| Abstract Title: | Quantitative reasoning skills in math methods |
|---|---|
| Abstract: | Many upper-division physics courses have as goals that students should 'think like a physicist.' Among other things, these goals include quantitative reasoning skills: considering limiting cases, dimensional analysis, and using approximations. However, there is often relatively little curricular support for these practices and many instructors do not assess them explicitly. As part of a collaborative project to investigate student learning of mathematics in upper-division courses including the traditional 'math methods' course, we have developed a number of written questions to investigate these skills. Although there are limitations to assessing these skills with written questions, they can provide insight to the extent to which students can apply a given skill when prompted, even if they do not help understand how and when students choose to activate these skills. Examples of student responses will be provided. |
| Abstract Type: | Contributed Poster Presentation |
Author/Organizer Information | |
| Primary Contact: |
Michael Loverude Department of Physics California State University Fullerton 800 N State College Fullerton, CA 92834 |
