Exploring student preferences when calculating expectation values using a computational features framework

Undergraduate quantum mechanics (QM) uses a variety of notations, each with their own advantages and constraints, for representing quantum states and carrying out individual calculations. An example of this can be seen when calculating expectation values, which can be solved using several different...

Descripción completa

Guardado en:

Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales:	Benjamin P. Schermerhorn, Gina Passante, Homeyra Sadaghiani, Steven J. Pollock
Formato:	article
Lenguaje:	EN
Publicado:	American Physical Society 2019
Materias:	Special aspects of education LC8-6691 Physics QC1-999
Acceso en línea:	https://doaj.org/article/09d31b918f21420b93f518a93dfbf1c4
Etiquetas:	Agregar Etiqueta Sin Etiquetas, Sea el primero en etiquetar este registro!

id	oai:doaj.org-article:09d31b918f21420b93f518a93dfbf1c4
record_format	dspace
spelling	oai:doaj.org-article:09d31b918f21420b93f518a93dfbf1c42021-12-02T11:30:04ZExploring student preferences when calculating expectation values using a computational features framework10.1103/PhysRevPhysEducRes.15.0201442469-9896https://doaj.org/article/09d31b918f21420b93f518a93dfbf1c42019-11-01T00:00:00Zhttp://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevPhysEducRes.15.020144http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevPhysEducRes.15.020144https://doaj.org/toc/2469-9896Undergraduate quantum mechanics (QM) uses a variety of notations, each with their own advantages and constraints, for representing quantum states and carrying out individual calculations. An example of this can be seen when calculating expectation values, which can be solved using several different methods. Analysis of written exam data given at three universities (teaching spins-first QM) showed students were more likely to use matrix or integral calculation in situations where it is much simpler to use a summation method. By adapting the structural features framework by Gire and Price, we are able to answer questions regarding how and why students use different methods. We analyze student responses to expectation value problems administered in interviews conducted at two universities in the middle and end of the semester to highlight specific areas of difficulty and features of the methods which led to students’ choices of one method over another.Benjamin P. SchermerhornGina PassanteHomeyra SadaghianiSteven J. PollockAmerican Physical SocietyarticleSpecial aspects of educationLC8-6691PhysicsQC1-999ENPhysical Review Physics Education Research, Vol 15, Iss 2, p 020144 (2019)
institution	DOAJ
collection	DOAJ
language	EN
topic	Special aspects of education LC8-6691 Physics QC1-999
spellingShingle	Special aspects of education LC8-6691 Physics QC1-999 Benjamin P. Schermerhorn Gina Passante Homeyra Sadaghiani Steven J. Pollock Exploring student preferences when calculating expectation values using a computational features framework
description	Undergraduate quantum mechanics (QM) uses a variety of notations, each with their own advantages and constraints, for representing quantum states and carrying out individual calculations. An example of this can be seen when calculating expectation values, which can be solved using several different methods. Analysis of written exam data given at three universities (teaching spins-first QM) showed students were more likely to use matrix or integral calculation in situations where it is much simpler to use a summation method. By adapting the structural features framework by Gire and Price, we are able to answer questions regarding how and why students use different methods. We analyze student responses to expectation value problems administered in interviews conducted at two universities in the middle and end of the semester to highlight specific areas of difficulty and features of the methods which led to students’ choices of one method over another.
format	article
author	Benjamin P. Schermerhorn Gina Passante Homeyra Sadaghiani Steven J. Pollock
author_facet	Benjamin P. Schermerhorn Gina Passante Homeyra Sadaghiani Steven J. Pollock
author_sort	Benjamin P. Schermerhorn
title	Exploring student preferences when calculating expectation values using a computational features framework
title_short	Exploring student preferences when calculating expectation values using a computational features framework
title_full	Exploring student preferences when calculating expectation values using a computational features framework
title_fullStr	Exploring student preferences when calculating expectation values using a computational features framework
title_full_unstemmed	Exploring student preferences when calculating expectation values using a computational features framework
title_sort	exploring student preferences when calculating expectation values using a computational features framework
publisher	American Physical Society
publishDate	2019
url	https://doaj.org/article/09d31b918f21420b93f518a93dfbf1c4
work_keys_str_mv	AT benjaminpschermerhorn exploringstudentpreferenceswhencalculatingexpectationvaluesusingacomputationalfeaturesframework AT ginapassante exploringstudentpreferenceswhencalculatingexpectationvaluesusingacomputationalfeaturesframework AT homeyrasadaghiani exploringstudentpreferenceswhencalculatingexpectationvaluesusingacomputationalfeaturesframework AT stevenjpollock exploringstudentpreferenceswhencalculatingexpectationvaluesusingacomputationalfeaturesframework
_version_	1718395861506981888

Exploring student preferences when calculating expectation values using a computational features framework

Ejemplares similares