The Process of Conceptual Change in 'Force and Motion'.

The process of students' conceptual change was evaluated during a computer-supported physics unit in a Grade 10 science class. Computer simulation programs were developed to confront students' alternative conceptions in mechanics. A conceptual test was administered as pre-, post-, and delayed post-tests to determine students' conceptual change. Students worked collaboratively in pairs on the programs carrying out predict-observe-explain tasks according to worksheets. While the pairs worked on the tasks, their conversational interactions were recorded. A range of other data were collected at various junctures during instruction. At each juncture, data for each of 12 students were analyzed to provide a "conceptual snapshot" at that particular juncture. All conceptual snapshots together provided a delineation of the students' conceptual development. Many students vacillated between alternative and scientific conceptions from one context to another during instruction; i.e., their conceptual change was context-dependent and unstable. The few students that achieved long-term conceptual change appeared to be able to perceive commonalities and accept the generality of scientific conceptions across contexts. These findings led to a tentative model of conceptual change. The paper concludes with consequent implications for classroom teaching. Contains 51 references. (Author/PVD) ******************************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. ******************************************************************************** Paper Presented at 1997 American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting Chicago, IL, USA March 24-28, 1997 The Process of Conceptual Change in 'Force and Motion' Ping-Kee Tao Department of Curriculum Studies, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong Email: pktao@hkucc.hku.hk Richard F. Gunstone Faculty of Education, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia Email: dick.gunstone@education.monash.edu.au

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