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Abstract Title: Investigating student use of a flexible tool for simulating and visualizing quantum mechanics
Abstract: As education researchers gain a broader understanding of how students learn quantum mechanics, new pedagogical and technical resources are being developed to facilitate student learning. To further research-based knowledge of student learning of quantum mechanics, we present a study on the use of Quantum Composer, a flexible, flow-based tool for the exploration and simulation of quantum mechanical systems in one dimension. To explore Composer's impact on students' knowledge of quantum mechanics, we carried out think-aloud interviews where students worked through an exercise exploring the statics and time-dynamics of quantum states in single and double harmonic well potentials. Student \emph{Outcomes} are then cross-coded with their observed \emph{Interactions} with Composer. We find that defined \emph{Outcomes} of \emph{Recollection}, \emph{Reinforcement} and \emph{Discovery} happen most often when students are using the Composer tools that allow them to visualize quantum states, simulate their time dynamics, and change parameters repeatedly.
Abstract Type: Contributed Poster Presentation
Session Time: Poster Session II
Poster Number: 2.K4
Contributed Paper Record: Contributed Paper Information
Contributed Paper Download: Download Contributed Paper

Author/Organizer Information

Primary Contact: Carrie A. Weidner
Institute for Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University
Aarhus, Denmark, Non U.S.
Co-Author(s)
and Co-Presenter(s)
Shaeema Z. Ahmed
Jesper H.M. Jensen
Jacob F. Sherson
(Institute for Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University)
Heather J. Lewandowski
(Department of Physics, University of Colorado at Boulder and JILA, National Institute of Standards and Technology and University of Colorado)