Physics – Physics Education
Scientific paper
2002-07-19
Physics
Physics Education
17 pages, 6 figures, 2 tables, 27 references; Accepted for publication in Physics Education Research Section, American Journal
Scientific paper
10.1119/1.1509420
Previous research indicates that after standard instruction students at all academic levels often construct a conceptual framework in which the ideas of absolute simultaneity and the relativity of simultaneity co-exist. This article describes the development and assessment of instructional materials intended to improve student understanding of the concept of time in special relativity, the relativity of simultaneity, and the role of observers in inertial reference frames. Results from pretests and post-tests are presented to demonstrate the effect of the curriculum in helping students deepen their understanding of these topics. Excerpts from taped interviews and classroom interactions help illustrate the intense cognitive conflict that students encounter as they are led to confront the incompatibility of their deeply-held beliefs about simultaneity with the results of special relativity.
Scherr Rachel E.
Shaffer Peter S.
Vokos Stamatis
No associations
LandOfFree
The challenge of changing deeply-held student beliefs about the relativity of simultaneity does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with The challenge of changing deeply-held student beliefs about the relativity of simultaneity, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The challenge of changing deeply-held student beliefs about the relativity of simultaneity will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-397479