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Title: Instructor perspectives on iteration during upper-division optics lab activities
Although developing proficiency with modeling is a nationally endorsed learning outcome for upper-division undergraduate physics lab courses, no corresponding research-based assessments exist. Our longterm goal is to develop assessments of students' modeling ability that are relevant across multiple upper-division lab contexts. To this end, we interviewed 19 instructors from 16 institutions about optics lab activities that incorporate photodiodes. Interviews focused on how those activities were designed to engage students in some aspects of modeling. We find that, according to many interviewees, iteration is an important aspect of modeling. In addition, interviewees described four distinct types of iteration: revising apparatuses, revising models, revising data-taking procedures, and repeating data collection using existing apparatuses and procedures. We provide examples of each type of iteration, and discuss implications for the development of future modeling assessments.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1734006 1726045
PAR ID:
10060149
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ;
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings 2017
Page Range / eLocation ID:
116 to 119
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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