PERC 2016 Abstract Detail Page
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| Abstract Title: | Comparing Two Activities’ Effectiveness Improving Reasoning with Multiple-Variable Information |
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| Abstract: | Past findings show large differences in student ability to use, and reason with, certain data. Many students incorrectly assume there must be dependence between the axes of any graph irrespective of whether the data suggests a relation. Additionally, students have difficulty with variables and their role in the experiment. A majority of the errors are consistent with failure to control variables or illogical reasoning from the data. We developed and tested two different one-hour group activities to improve student understanding. One activity was laboratory based and focused on control of variables and experimentation. The other was recitation based and focused on logical reasoning and data manipulation. Both activities improved student ability to draw conclusions and answer questions about the data in graph or picture form. The relative effectiveness of the activities suggests interesting facts about the importance of logical reasoning vs. control of variables for students working with data. |
| Abstract Type: | Contributed Poster Presentation |
Author/Organizer Information | |
| Primary Contact: |
Rebecca J Rosenblatt Illinois State University 218 Willard Ave Bloomington, IL 61701 Phone: 6144609502 |
| Co-Author(s) and Co-Presenter(s) |
James Perrone |
Contributed Poster | |
| Contributed Poster: | Download the Contributed Poster |
