2023 BFY4 Abstract Detail Page
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| Abstract Title: |
Representational differences in how students compare measurements |
| Abstract: |
Measurement uncertainty - an essential concept in introductory physics labs - plays a critical role in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of experimental results. An assessment tool called the Survey of Physics Reasoning on Uncertainty Concepts in Experiments (SPRUCE) aims to evaluate students' ability to handle a variety of concepts related to measurement uncertainty. This assessment includes two isomorphic questions, one presented numerically and the other pictorially, with diagrams illustrating error bars and means. Interestingly, despite the questions being identical, students answer them in different ways, indicating that they rely on distinct modes of representation to make sense of measurement uncertainty and comparisons. Unfortunately, even though instructors emphasize the importance of understanding measurement comparison, students frequently struggle with these questions. Notably, students score much higher on the pictorially represented item, showing a gap in ability to compare numerical measurements. |
| Abstract Type: |
Poster
|
Author/Organizer Information |
| Primary Contact: |
Gayle Geschwind
University of Colorado Boulder & JILA
|
Co-Author(s)
and Co-Presenter(s) |
Michael Vignal
Heather J. Lewandowski
University of Colorado Boulder & JILA
|
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