ERIC Number: EJ1380079
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022
Pages: 24
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0304-3797
EISSN: EISSN-1469-5898
Available Date: N/A
Student Understanding of Kinematics: A Qualitative Assessment
Cashman, Andrew; O'Mahony, Tom
European Journal of Engineering Education, v47 n6 p886-909 2022
In engineering, kinematics is widely regarded as a fundamental topic with the literature agreeing that students possess a wide range in understanding of the topic. This study aims to take a second-order approach by understanding and exploring the qualitatively different ways in which students approach solving kinematics problems. Phenomenography was used to collect data through ten semi-structured interviews with early-stage mechanical engineering students. Following data analysis, four distinct categories of students' approaches were identified; unstructured, framing the problem, strategic, and conceptual. It was found that these categories could be arranged in a hierarchy and were also supported by secondary epistemic factors in determining why students employed a particular approach. The findings emphasise the need for approaching instruction from multiple perspectives and suggest a more comprehensive learning experience can be supported by linking practical laboratory observations with real-world concepts, use of visual aids, dry labs, active and peer-to-peer learning.
Descriptors: Physics, Scientific Concepts, Learning Experience, Concept Formation, Active Learning, Phenomenology, Engineering Education, Problem Solving, Teaching Methods, Visual Aids, Laboratory Experiments, Ethics, Integrity, Distance Education, COVID-19, Design
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A