ERIC Number: EJ1426182
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016
Pages: 17
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1648-3898
EISSN: EISSN-2538-7138
Available Date: N/A
Learner's Alternative and Misconceptions in Physics: A Phenomenographic Study
Abraham Motlhabane
Journal of Baltic Science Education, v15 n4 p424-440 2016
This phenomenographic case study attempted to determine the alternative and misconceptions of learners in selected concepts in Physics. The research adds another dimension to understanding alternative conception in kinematics by qualitatively determining how learners describe/define a distance of 0m, a displacement of 0m, a speed of 0m/s, a velocity of 0m/s as well as an acceleration of 0m/ss. Data were gathered by means of a free response test. Senior high school grade 12 learners were purposefully selected to complete the test. Data were analyzed by qualitatively interrogating the descriptions and related graphs and pictures to look for the ways in which learners described these concepts. The research revealed that some learners were not able to comprehend the meaning of a displacement of 0m, thus they experienced challenges in the understanding of the concepts such as a speed of 0m/s, a velocity 0m/s and an acceleration 0m/ss. The data seems to suggest that learners fail to formalise and contextualise "0" as a concept in kinematics.
Descriptors: Physics, Science Instruction, Misconceptions, Phenomenology, Scientific Concepts, Concept Formation, High School Students, Grade 12, Science Tests, Barriers, Graphs, Illustrations, Test Items, Item Analysis, Foreign Countries
Scientia Socialis Ltd. 29 K. Donelaicio Street, LT-78115 Siauliai, Republic of Lithuania. e-mail: scientia@scientiasocialis.lt; e-mail: mail.jbse@gmail.com; Web site: http://www.scientiasocialis.lt/jbse/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: High Schools; Secondary Education; Grade 12
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: South Africa
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A