Instruction on scalar electric potential produces a pronounced dip in correct vector-based Newton's Third Law responses in E&M¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · associational r2 · q2
Currency · newest study 2010 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q2 i? E&M response, mostly flat around 66%, drops to 41% in week 4 when instruction shifts from vector-based electric fields to the scalar topic of electric potential. → Clark 2010

Evidence¶

Clark 2010¶

Clark, J. W., Sayre, E. C., and Franklin, S. V. (2010). Fluctuations in Student Understanding of Newton's 3rd Law. arXiv preprint. https://arxiv.org/abs/1009.0260 doi:10.48550/arxiv.1009.0260

q2 · i? · associational · r2

Between-student response curve for the E&M course (Fig. 4), with the ceiling-effect ball-at-rest question omitted. The week-4 dip coincides with the shift to electric potential and voltage; the authors attribute it to course topic rather than instructor or section variance.

"The most significant feature of Fig. 4 is the pronounced dip in week 4 to 41%. This drop, 25% points below the average, cannot be explained by instructor or section variance, and so we assert that course topic is the most likely cause."

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• Correct responses to Newton's Third Law questions rose while forces were taught, peaked at the end of that instruction and fell back toward chance by the end of the quarter — related
• The interference dip disappears once instruction returns to vector-based topics such as magnetic fields — related
• Current instruction affects previously learned knowledge (interference), calling into question the accuracy of any single assessment — a broader claim this one bears on
• Multiple representations improve learning — related
• Students enter E&M with a higher initial Newton's Third Law response (66%) than they exited Mechanics, most likely due to a winnowing effect — related
• A pronounced drop in performance occurs at week 8 after the first exam in an area of law, which is attributed to cyclic drops in motivation — related