Results :: Search Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

An investigation into student understanding of longitudinal standing waves: Author: Dostal, Jack Alan; Date: 2008-12-15; Program: Physics; Abstract: This study investigates the difficulties that introductory university physics students have with the concept of longitudinal standing waves in the context of standing waves in pipes. My goal is to identify difficulties that persist even after standard instruction on longitudinal standing waves and attempt to improve upon that method of instruction. The study follows a four-step design. I first use exploratory surveys and interviews with students to elicit the difficulties present in students' understanding of longitudinal standing waves in pipes. I then use the information gained to create an...; Download File | View full details

An investigation into the effects of completion problems on introductory physics students: Author: Wolf, Jeremy Tyler; Date: 2009-05-15; Program: Physics; Abstract: In this study the completion problems were voluntary. I believe it has been reasonably shown that the completion problems do not have a negative effect on test performance. If the act of completing a completion problem is useful making the completion problems mandatory would seem to be a simple improvement that may result in further or more widespread gains. Further, I believe that completion problems are realistic to implement for an entire semester or year-long course, in terms of time invested in creation of the problems compared to the possible gains made by students. The study has also sh...; Download File | View full details