Helping Students Reconstruct Conceptions of Thermodynamics: Energy and Heat

Thermodynamics, specifically energy and heat, is a major concept in the foundations of physics and physical science. To determine a strategy to teach thermodynamics meaningfully, the authors conducted classroom action research using interviews to determine secondary physics students' current co...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inScience activities Vol. 44; no. 3; pp. 106 - 112
Main Authors Krummel, Russell, Sunal, Dennis W., Sunal, Cynthia Szymanski
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Washington Heldref 01.09.2007
Heldref Publications
Taylor & Francis Inc
Subjects
Action Research
Comprehension
Concept Formation
energy
heat
Heat transfer
Interviews
Learning
Outdoor activities
Physical Sciences
Physics
Science activities
Science Curriculum
Science education
Science Instruction
Scientific Concepts
Secondary School Science
Secondary School Students
Students
Teaching Methods
Thermodynamics
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Summary:Thermodynamics, specifically energy and heat, is a major concept in the foundations of physics and physical science. To determine a strategy to teach thermodynamics meaningfully, the authors conducted classroom action research using interviews to determine secondary physics students' current conceptions of thermodynamics. On the basis of the findings, the authors developed and implemented a science unit to facilitate students' reconstructions of their ideas toward more scientifically appropriate concepts. The lessons, using a learning cycle strategy, and results of the pre- and post-interviews are presented.
ISSN:0036-8121
1940-1302
DOI:10.3200/SATS.44.3.106-112