This research project examined the efficacy of an online microcomputer-based laboratory based (MBL) physics unit. One hundred and fifty physics students from five high schools in North Carolina were divided into an online and classroom group. The classroom group completed the MBL units in small groups with assistance from their teachers. The online groups completed the MBL units in small groups using a website designed for this project for guidance. Pre- and post-unit content tests and surveys were given. Statistical analysis of the content tests showed significant development of conceptual understanding by the online group over the course of the unit. There was not a significant difference between the classroom and online group with relation to the amount of conceptual understanding developed. Correlations with post-test achievement showed that pre-test scores and math background were the most significant correlates with success. Computer related variables were only mildly correlated with the online group. The students? views about the nature of physics, as collected by the surveys, were not well developed before the unit and did not significantly change over the course of the short unit. Examination of the students? conceptions after instruction revealed common alternative conceptions such as confusing position and velocity variables and incorrect interpretations of graphical features such as slope.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:NCSU/oai:NCSU:etd-03242004-153352 |
| Date | 15 April 2004 |
| Creators | Slykhuis, David Alan |
| Contributors | Dr. David Haase, Dr. Gail Jones, Dr. John C. Park, Dr. Glenda Carter |
| Publisher | NCSU |
| Source Sets | North Carolina State University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/theses/available/etd-03242004-153352/ |
| Rights | unrestricted, I hereby certify that, if appropriate, I have obtained and attached hereto a written permission statement from the owner(s) of each third party copyrighted matter to be included in my thesis, dissertation, or project report, allowing distribution as specified below. I certify that the version I submitted is the same as that approved by my advisory committee. I hereby grant to NC State University or its agents the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible, under the conditions specified below, my thesis, dissertation, or project report in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis, dissertation or project report. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis, dissertation, or project report. |
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