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  • Students' Understanding of Discrete and Continuous Systems in Quantum Mechanics and Computation's Supporting Role

    Creator:
    Solorio, Christian D.
    Abstract:
    Quantum mechanics is increasingly being taught with a spins-first approach where instructors use simple spin systems to introduce the principles of quantum mechanics rather than systems with wavefunctions. One of the defining characteristics of a spins-first approach is that systems studied have discrete bases, whereas systems with wavefunctions have continuous...
    Resource Type:
    Dissertation
    Full Text:
    Abstract approved: Elizabeth Gire Quantum mechanics is increasingly being taught with a spins-first

  • Student Evaluative Sensemaking on Homework in Intermediate Mechanics

    Creator:
    Hahn, Kelby T.
    Abstract:
    Physicists seek to understand the world and often use mathematics to aid in attaining that goal. Thus when doing mathematics they often interrogate their results in order to ensure that they align with their expectations and to gain new insight into how the world works. This seeking of coherence between...
    Resource Type:
    Masters Thesis
    Full Text:
    understanding the world is called physics sensemaking. One way physicists do sensemaking is to perform a

  • Sensemaking Throughout the Physics Curriculum: Understanding Expert and Student Ideas About Sensemaking in a Physics Context

    Creator:
    Lenz, MacKenzie
    Abstract:
    Physics sensemaking is a growing topic of study within the physics education community. Many lenses have been used to study sensemaking but few have considered how time and instruction can impact student sensemaking practices and ideas. In this dissertation, I present four studies that address four major questions: What sensemaking...
    Resource Type:
    Dissertation
    Full Text:
    the Physics Curriculum: Understanding Expert and Student Ideas About Sensemaking in a Physics Context

  • Supporting Learning and Thinking with Multiple Representations in Upper Division Physics Courses

    Creator:
    Alfson, Jonathan W.
    Abstract:
    Physicists solve problems and communicate their work using many external representations, such as equations, words, diagrams, graphs, sketches, pictures, and more. To learn physics, then, students must learn to use external representations. In this dissertation, I present three manuscripts. Each manuscript discusses how upper-division Paradigms in Physics students use multiple...
    Resource Type:
    Dissertation
    Full Text:
    of all the representations. In the third manuscript, I looked at a thermodynamics activity and

  • Waving Arms to Teach & Learn Quantum Mechanics

    Creator:
    Hahn, Kelby T.
    Abstract:
    In this dissertation I explore the Arms representation and activities for teaching quantum mechanics invented at Oregon State University. In the Arms representation students embody quantum states. The Arms activities are presented as an exemplar of the unique physics classroom culture of the upper-division Paradigms in Physics program. In the...
    Resource Type:
    Dissertation
    Full Text:
    manuscript, I leverage Portraiture, a narrative inquiry methodology that incorporates the researcher as a