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arXiv:physics/0512158physics.ed-ph

Observations on teaching first-year physics

Sanjoy Mahajan

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Abstract

Highly successful students, as measured by grades and by scores on the Force Concept Inventory, still struggle with fundamental concepts in mathematics and physics. These difficulties, which turn physics into parrot learning and include confusing velocity and acceleration or being unable to reason with graphs, are revealed by problems requiring estimation and conceptual reasoning. I discuss these problems, the difficulties that they reveal, and suggest possible remedies.

arXiv comments
plain TeX with eplain, 24 pages, 16 figures, open-source license (OSL 3.0)
Journal reference
DOI
Subjects
physics.ed-phPhysics Education

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  1. Apollo Astronauts Didn't Need Heavy Boots 1 comment

    • Again with the visualizing of a pre-newtonian world, a few years ago a physics TA (now a lecturer) made some observations on his Q&A sessions with some 1st years in Cambridge- they didn't hold up too well either but then again, changing your mental model of how the world works…

      jhayesView on HNParent context

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