University of Maine
Physics Education Research Laboratory
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Research and Evaluation | All Publications and Presentations (complete, most up-to-date)
Research into Student Learning:
Mathematics in Physics
The understanding of mathematics and the mathematical models we use in physics form a central part of the language that our students must learn in our classrooms. The work linked to below was done as part of a variety of projects, and was funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the Department of Education Fund for the Improvement of Post-Secondary Education.
Ongoing projects at the UMaine PERL that are not listed below include studies of how students integrate their understanding of mathematics and physics in a sophomore level advanced mechanics course.
Links to Research Topics arranged by research topic and author
Papers |
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| E.B. Pollock, J.R. Thompson, D.B. Mountcastle | Student Understanding of the Physics and Mathematics of Process Variables In P-V Diagrams | Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings 2007 (to appear 2008) |
| D.B. Mountcastle, B.R. Bucy, J.R. Thompson | Student Estimates of Probability and Uncertainty in Advanced Laboratory and Statistical Physics Courses | Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings 2007 (to appear 2008) |
| B.R. Bucy, J.R. Thompson, D.B. Mountcastle | Student (Mis)application of Partial Differentiation to Material Properties | 2006 Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings, edited by P. Heron, L. McCullough, and J. Marx, AIP Conference Proceedings 883, 157-160 (2007) |
| J.R. Thompson, B.R. Bucy, D.B. Mountcastle | Assessing Student Understanding of Partial Derivatives in Thermodynamics | 2005 Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings, edited by P. Heron, L. McCullough, and J. Marx, AIP Conference Proceedings 818, 77-80 (2006) |
| R.N. Steinberg, M.C. Wittmann, E.F. Redish, | Mathematical Tutorials In Introductory Physics | Sample class, in The Changing Role Of Physics Departments In Modern University, AIP Conference Proceedings 399 (AIP, 1997) 1075-1092. |
Invited Talks |
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| J.R. Thompson | Research on student understanding in physics: an example from two-dimensional kinematics | Twenty-third state wide meeting of high school physics teachers, Orono, ME, 2003 May. |
| J.R. Thompson | Discipline-based education research as a guide to teaching and learning: examples from physics. | The University of New Hampshire, Analytical/Physical Chemistry Seminar, Durham, NH, 2003 May. |
| J.R. Thompson, M.C. Wittmann, S.J. Kaback | Promoting the understanding of teaching and learning in physics | The University of Maine Center for Science and Mathematics Education Research Brown Bag Seminar, April 2003, |
| M.C. Wittmann | Standardized tests as predictors of student performance in advanced physics classes | University of Maine, December 2001. |
| M.C. Wittmann | Student use of multiple models in wave and quantum physics | Bremen University, Germany, June 1999. |
| M.C. Wittmann | Research and Curriculum Development to Address Student Understanding of Wave Physics | AAPT Winter Meeting, Anaheim CA, January 11, 1999 |
| M.C. Wittmann | Student Use of Multiple Models When Making Sense of Physics: An Example From Mechanical Waves | Summer School of the European Science Education Research Association, Marly-le-Roi, France, August 1998. To see an on-line version of a more complete version of this talk, see Wittmann's defense talk. |
| M.C. Wittmann | Investigation and Addressing Student Difficulties with Physics: An Example from Mechanical Waves | Two-Year College Introductory Physics Conference III, Joliet IL, Joliet Junior College, June, 1998. To see an on-line version of a more complete version of this talk, see Wittmann's defense talk. |
| M.C. Wittmann | Making sense of student models of physics: An example from mechanical waves | University of Maryland, October 1998. To see an on-line version of a more complete version of this talk, see Wittmann's defense talk. |
| M.C. Wittmann | Student Difficulties with Wave Concepts | University of Maryland, September 1997. |
Contributed Talks |
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| T. Lyons, J.R. Thompson, and M.C. Wittmann | Context dependence of student understanding of simple graphs | 127th National AAPT Meeting, Madison, WI, 2003 August. |
| J.M. Saul, M.C. Wittmann, R.N. Steinberg, and E.F. Redish | Student Difficulties with Math in Physics: Why can't Students Apply What They Learn in Math Class? | , AAPT Summer Meeting, College Park, MD, August 1996. |
| R.N. Steinberg, J.M. Saul, M.C. Wittmann, and E.F. Redish | Student Difficulties Understanding the role of Mathematics in Introductory Physics | Joint APS/AAPT Meeting, Indianapolis IN, May 1996. |
Contributed Posters |
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| T. Lyons, M.C. Wittmann, J.R. Thompson | Context dependence of student understanding of simple graphs | Physics Education Research Conference, Madison, WI, August 2003. |
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