PERC 2024 Abstract Detail Page
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| Abstract Title: | Computing the tension : An activity theoretic analysis of a computational physics lab |
|---|---|
| Abstract Type: | Contributed Poster Presentation |
| Abstract: | Computational Physics is a key part of the landscape of 21st century physics. However there has been limited research on effective teaching techniques in computational physics. Especially in upper division lab courses, where practicing physics can look very different to introductory courses, as students join the physics community and develop their physics identity. We conducted interviews of students in a one-credit junior level computational physics lab course at a large public research university. We analyzed these interviews through the framework of Activity Theory. In so doing we sought to identify tensions in the activities of the course and thus where improvements might be made, and to understand the general dynamics and character of the course as it currently exists. We identified tensions between group work expectations, building proficiency at computing, and other aspects of the course. The specific contextual features of this computational physics lab add nuance to our findings. |
| Session Time: | Poster Session 1 |
| Poster Number: | A44 |
Author/Organizer Information | |
| Primary Contact: |
Luke Nearhood Oregon State University Corvallis, OR 97333 |
| Co-Author(s) and Co-Presenter(s) |
Patti Hamerski (She/Her), Oregon State University |
