Research on student learning
The Inquiry into Radioactivity materials were developed in a cyclic process - observations in the classroom led to identification of problems, which were addressed by rewriting the course materials. These new course materials were then tested the following semester.
We have identified a number of learning difficulties - some which required extensive modifications. For example, we found that students didn't understand atoms. This required the creation of an entire sequence of lessons on atoms, ions, isotopes, and nuclear emission processes. This is why "Cycle 2 - Atoms" was created.
Undergraduate assistants performing research in the IiR classroom have written papers on understanding of atoms, ionization, and - a major barrier to understanding - the view of radiation as a kind of material instead of as subatomic particles in flight. This issue is the most challenging and takes much classroom time to resolve.
Our work to date:
Game-ifying Scientific Concepts of Radioactivity, a poster presented at the 2014 PERC conference. This poster shows ways that the IiR simulators use computer game techniques to intrigue and invite students into investigating atoms, ionizing radiation, and the interaction of radiation with matter.
Students Coming to Understand Ionizing Radiation - A Radiation Literacy Challenge, a paper presented at the 2014 NARST conference. This paper briefly describes students' initial thinking about radiation and radioactivity, and demonstrates that these views can be changed in an IiR classroom.
Radiation and Atomic Literacy for Nonscientists, AAAS/Science Inquiry Based Instruction prize essay, Oct. 25, 2013
Overcoming Learning Barriers to Radiation Literacy poster presented at the 2013 Posters On The Hill conference in Washington DC. This poster - presented to members of Congress and their staffers - gives an overview of the radiation learning difficulties we have investigated, and some of the ways to overcome them.
Student Journeys for Understanding Radioactivity poster prepared for the 2013 National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) conference. This poster presents evidence showing that differentiating radiation from radioactivity - and developing a model of radiation as high speed subatomic particles - is a long and difficult process for many students. A paper on this topic is forthcoming.
Inquiry into Radiation poster presented at the 2013 Transforming Undergraduate Education in STEM (TUES) conference. This poster gives an overview of the project and its acccomplishments at the end of 2012.
Differentiating Radiation from Radioactivity, a paper in the Proceedings of the 2012 National Conference in Undergraduate Research. Accompanied by this poster.
Student Understanding of Ionizing by Radiation, a paper in the Proceedings of the the 2012 National Conference in Undergraduate Research. Accompanied by this poster.
Student Ideas about Radiation, a poster presented at the summer 2011 AAPT meeting.
Exploring Student Understanding Of Atoms And Radiation With The Atom Builder Simulator, a paper in the Proceedings of the 2011 National Conference on Undergraduate Education (NCUR), Ithaca, NY.
Student Understanding of Atoms, a poster and paper presented at the summer 2010 AAPT meeting.
Student Ideas about Half-lives, a poster presented at the summer 2007 AAPT meeting.
