PERC 2021 Abstract Detail Page
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| Abstract Title: | Shared Resources in Student Problem-Solving of Spherical Unit Vectors |
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| Abstract: | We are interested in trying to understand ways that students collaborate to solve conceptual physics problems in the context of spherical unit vectors in upper-division E&M, especially ones that have been shown to be difficult for students to solve individually on their own, but which groups of students have been more successful at. Using a think-out-loud protocol, we interviewed students in small groups, asking them to solve together on a large whiteboard conceptual problems from this E&M context. The interviews were video and audio recorded, and qualitatively analyzed applying an emergent coding method and the resources framework [4]. Through this analysis, we observed one common mechanism in all three group-interviews whereby students collaborated effectively: first one student activated a conceptual resource and expressed it, then another student took up that idea, and finally the whole group then together used that idea to move forward with the problem. We call a resource activated and used this way a shared resource [8]. We propose that the shared resources construct could be a useful tool to help understand how students collaborate in solving conceptual physics problems. In this paper, we report our method of analysis and the results from one group interview to illustrate one shared resource we identified and the role it played in helping students collaboratively solve the conceptual problem in this context. Future work is suggested. |
| Abstract Type: | Contributed Poster Presentation |
| Session Time: | Poster Session 1 Room A |
| Poster Number: | 1A-26 |
| Contributed Paper Record: | Contributed Paper Information |
| Contributed Paper Download: | Download Contributed Paper |
Author/Organizer Information | |
| Primary Contact: |
Ying Cao Drury University |
| Co-Author(s) and Co-Presenter(s) |
Brant Hinrichs Drury University |
