Research Article

The determination of the learning curve on the concept of energy using the alternatives ideas

Konstantinos T. Kotsis 1 2 , Dimitris Panagou 1 2 *
More Detail
1 Department of Primary Education, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, GREECE2 Laboratory of Teaching and Training Physics, Ioannina, GREECE* Corresponding Author
Contemporary Mathematics and Science Education, 4(1), 2023, ep23011, https://doi.org/10.30935/conmaths/13022
Published: 03 March 2023
OPEN ACCESS   625 Views   363 Downloads
Download Full Text (PDF)

ABSTRACT

In this study, alternative ideas of energy were evaluated for five different age groups. Research participants included primary school, middle school, and high school students, students of the department of primary education, and active teachers in primary education. The same questionnaire was used in all groups, indicating that age-related differences exist between answers. The sigmoid curve, which represents energy learning, is obtained by analyzing correct answers according to age. Correlations between age and all questions were statistically significant. An engaging perspective is imparted on energy education. According to our findings, misconceptions and preconceptions of students and teachers diminish with age or, more accurately, with educational attainment. In addition to improving science teaching classrooms and curriculum design, the results of our study may also benefit teachers’ professional growth.

CITATION (APA)

Kotsis, K. T., & Panagou, D. (2023). The determination of the learning curve on the concept of energy using the alternatives ideas. Contemporary Mathematics and Science Education, 4(1), ep23011. https://doi.org/10.30935/conmaths/13022

REFERENCES

  1. Brancato, G., Macchia, S., Murgia, M., Signore, M., & Simeoni, G. (2004). Handbook of recommended questionnaire development and testing practices in the European statistical system–Eurostat. European Commission. https://unstats.un.org/unsd/EconStatKB/KnowledgebaseArticle10364.aspx
  2. Chu, H., Treagust D. F., Shelley Y., & Marjan Z. (2012). Evaluation of students’ understanding of thermal concepts in everyday contexts. International Journal of Science Education, 34(10), 1509-1534. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2012.657714
  3. da Silva, W. P., & da Silva, C. P. (2010). LAB fit curve fitting software. http://www.labfit.net/
  4. Driver, R. (1989). Students’ conceptions and the learning of science, International Journal of Science Education, 11(5), 481-490. https://doi.org/10.1080/0950069890110501
  5. Driver, R., & Easley, J. (1978). Pupils and paradigms: A review of literature related to concept development in adolescent science students. Studies in Science Education, 5(1), 61-84. https://doi.org/10.1080/ 03057267808559857
  6. Duit, R., & Treagust, D. F., (2004). Conceptual change–A powerful framework for improving science teaching and learning. International Journal of Science Education, 25(6), 671-688. https://doi.org/10.1080/ 09500690305016
  7. Ekolu, S. O., & Quainoo, H. (2019). Reliability of assessments in engineering education using Cronbach’s alpha, KR and split-half methods. Global Journal of Engineering Education, 21(1), 24-29.
  8. Fernandez, F. B. (2017). Action research in the physics classroom: the impact of authentic, inquiry based learning or instruction on the learning of thermal physics, Asia-Pacific Science Education, 3(1), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41029-017-0014-z
  9. Ferreira, A., Lemmer, M., & Gunstone, R (2017). Alternative conceptions: Turning adversity into advantage. Research in Science Education, 49(3), 657-678. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11165-017-9638-y
  10. Field, A. (2013). Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS statistics. SAGE.
  11. Fortus, D., Kubsch, M., Bielik, T., Krajcik, J., Lehavi, Y., Neumann, K., Nordine, J., Opitz, S., & Touitou, I. (2019). Systems, transfer, and fields: Evaluating a new approach to energy instruction. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 56(10), 1341-1361. https://doi.org/10.1002/tea.21556
  12. Kotsis, K. T. (2011). Erevnitikí proséngisi tou diachronikoú charaktíra ton enallaktikón ideón sti didaktikí tis Fysikís [A research approach to the timeless nature of alternative ideas in the teaching of Physics]. University of Ioannina Publications.
  13. Kotsis, K. T., & Panagou, D. (2022). Self-concept of Greek primary school teachers and their conceptions of force and weight among their years of service. International Journal of Professional Development, Learners and Learning, 5(1), ep2301. https://doi.org/10.30935/ijpdll/12628
  14. Kotsis, K. T., & Panagou, D. (2022). Using alternative ideas for determining the learning curve on the concept of force. European Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 10(4), 495-506. https://doi.org/10.30935/scimath/12251
  15. Kotsis, K. T., Stylos, G., Houssou, P., & Kamaratos, M. (2023). Students’ perceptions of the heat and temperature concepts: A comparative study between primary, secondary, and university levels. European Journal of Education and Pedagogy, 4(1), 136-144. https://doi.org/10.24018/ejedu.2023.4.1.577
  16. Kotsis, K. T., Vemis, K., & Kolovos, X. (2002). I ennoiologikí allagí ton enallaktikón ideón ton paidión kai i diárkeiagnósis apó ti didaskalía tous sto dimotikó, stin énnoia tis trivís [The conceptual change of children'salternative ideas and the duration of knowledge, from their teaching at the Primary school, on thefriction]. Repository of UOI ''Olympias''.
  17. Kurnaz, M., & Arslan, A. (2011). A thematic review of some studies investigating students’ alternative conceptions about energy. International Journal of Physics & Chemistry Education, 3(1), 51-74. https://doi.org/10.51724/ijpce.v3i1.189
  18. Kurniawan, Y., Muliyani, R., & Nassim, S. (2019). Digital story conceptual change oriented (DSCC) to reduce students’ misconceptions in physics. Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Fisika Al-Biruni [Al-Biruni Physics Education Scientific Journal], 8(2), 207-216. https://doi.org/10.24042/jipfalbiruni.v0i0.4596
  19. Landau, S., & Everitt, B. (2004). A handbook of statistical analyses using SPSS. Chapman & Hall/CRC Press LLC. https://doi.org/10.1201/9780203009765
  20. Leibowitz, N., Baum, B., Enden, G., & Karniel, A. (2010). The exponential learning equation as a function of successful trials results in sigmoid performance. Journal of Mathematical Psychology, 54(3), 338-340. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmp.2010.01.006
  21. Lin, S. Y., & Singh, C. (2015). Effect of scaffolding on helping introductory physics students solve quantitative problems involving strong alternative conceptions. Physical Review Special Topics-Physics Education Research, 11, 020105.
  22. Liu, G., & Fang, N. (2016). Student misconceptions about force and acceleration in physics and engineering mechanics education. International Journal of Engineering Education, 32(1), 19-29.
  23. Marhadi, H., Mulyani, E. A., & Hermita, N. (2018). Implementing a four-tier diagnostic test to assess elementary school students’ on electricity concept. In Proceedings of the UR International Conference on Educational Sciences (pp. 299-302). https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1157/3/032020
  24. McNeill, K. L., & Knight, A. M. (2013). Teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge of scientific argumentation: The impact of professional development on k-12 teachers. Science Education, 97, 936-972. https://doi.org/10.1002/sce.21081
  25. Narjaikaew, P. (2013). Alternative conceptions of primary school teachers of science about force and motion. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 88, 250-257. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.08.503
  26. Nieminen, P., Savinainen, A., & Viiri, J. (2017). Learning about forces using multiple representations. In D. Treagust, R. Duit, & H. Fischer (Eds.), Multiple representations in physics education. Models and modeling in science education (pp. 163-182). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-58914-5_8
  27. Panagou, D., Kotsis, K. T., & Stylos, G. (2022). An empirical study on the evolution of students’ perceptions in basic concepts of physics of primary and secondary education in Cyprus. The Electronic Journal for Research in Science & Mathematics Education, 26(2), 91-109. https://ejrsme.icrsme.com/article/view/21441
  28. Pulgar, J., Spina, A., & Ríos, C. (2020). Investigating how students collaborate to generate physics problems through structured tasks. Physical Review Special Topics-Physics Education Research, 17, 010120. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevPhysEducRes.17.010120
  29. Rapp, D. (2005). Mental models: Theoretical issues for visualizations in science education. In J. Gilbert (Ed.), Visualization in science education (pp. 43-60). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-3613-2_4
  30. Resbiantoro, G., & Setiani, R. (2022). A review of misconception in physics: the diagnosis, causes, and remediation. Journal of Turkish Science Education, 19(2), 403-427.
  31. Sampson, V., & Blanchard, M. R. (2012). Science teachers and scientific argumentation: Trends in views and practice. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 49(9), 1122-1148. https://doi.org/10.1002/tea.21037
  32. Sperandeo-Mineo, R., Fazio, C., & Tarantino, G. (2006). Pedagogical content knowledge development and preservice physics teacher education: A case study. Research in Science Education, 36, 235-268. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11165-005-9004-3
  33. Stylos, G., Evangelakis G. A., & Kotsis, K. T. (2008). Misconceptions on classical mechanics by freshman university students: A case study in a Physics Department in Greece. Themes in Science and Technology Education, 1(2), 157-177.
  34. Stylos, G., Sargioti, A., Mavridis, D., & Kotsis, K. T. (2021). Validation of the thermal concept evaluation test for Greek university students’ misconceptions of thermal concepts. International Journal of Science Education, 43(2), 247-273. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2020.1865587
  35. Taber, K. S. (2008). Conceptual resources for learning science: Issues of transience and grain-size in cognition and cognitive structure. International Journal of Science Education, 30(8), 1027-1053. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500690701485082
  36. Taber, K., & Tan, K. (2010). The insidious nature of ‘hard‐core’ alternative conceptions: Implications for the constructivist research programme of patterns in high school students’ and pre‐service teachers’ thinking about ionization energy. International Journal of Science Education, 33(2), 259-297. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500691003709880
  37. Topalsan, A., & Bayram, H. (2019). Identifying prospective primary school teachers’ ontologically categorized misconceptions on the topic of “force and motion.” Journal of Turkish Science Education, 16(1), 85-109.
  38. Villarino, G. N. (2018). An investigation of students’ conceptual understanding of the concepts of force and energy. International Journal of Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education, 26(6), 22-61.
  39. Vosniadou, S., (2019). The development of students’ understanding of science. Frontiers in Education, 4. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2019.00032
  40. Wagner, W. (2019). Using IBM® SPSS® statistics for research methods and social science statistics. SAGE.
  41. Wallace, C., & Brooks, L. (2014). Learning to teach elementary science in an experiential, informal context: Culture, learning, and identity. Science Education, 99(1), 174-198. https://doi.org/10.1002/sce.21138
  42. Wang, J., & Buck, G. A. (2016). Understanding a high school physics teacher’s pedagogical content knowledge of argumentation. Journal of Science Teacher Education, 27(5), 577-604. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10972-016-9476-1
  43. Wang, M. T., Chow, A., Degol, J. L., & Eccles, J. S. (2017). Does everyone’s motivational beliefs about physical science decline in secondary school?: Heterogeneity of adolescents’ achievement motivation trajectories in physics and chemistry. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 46(8), 1821-1838. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-016-0620-1
  44. Wells, J., Henderson, R., Traxler, A., Miller, P., & Stewart, J. (2020). Exploring the structure of misconceptions in the force and motion conceptual evaluation with modified module analysis. Physical Review Physics Education Research, 16(1), 010121. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevPhysEducRes.16.010121
  45. Yuruk, N. (2007). A case study of one student’s metaconceptual processes and the changes in her alternative conceptions of force and motion. EURASIA Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 3(4), 305-325. https://doi.org/10.12973/ejmste/75411