Unipolar Reasoning in Electricity: Developing a Digital Two-Tier Diagnostic Test
Author:
Métioui Abdeljalil1, Trudel Louis2
Affiliation:
1. Faculty of Science Education, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal (Québec), CANADA 2. Faculty of Education, Université d’Ottawa, Ottawa, CANADA
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to develop a two-tier test to diagnose unipolar reasoning in electricity. Thus, at first, we built a questionnaire composed of four questions with two choices (True / False) with justification. The justification step is methodologically essential; it has allowed us to identify different categories of conceptual representations. Then we administered it to students (N = 100) in the Science education training program. The students’ answers were analyzed and used to create the choices for the two-tier questions. The two-tier questions allow the student to give his explanation if the choices presented do not conform to his representation. Finally, high school students (N = 25) completed an electronic version of the two-tier test to solicit their commentary. The majority was enthusiastic about their participation, despite the conceptual destabilization generated by completing this test.
Publisher
World Scientific and Engineering Academy and Society (WSEAS)
Subject
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
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