Mechanics has never been the most popular subject in A-level mathematics, the UK's public examination for 16-18-year olds, either with students, teachers or educators. The attempts to popularize mechanics have failed and it is conceivable that the subject will be dropped from the A-level syllabus in the foreseeable future. This article argues the…

Throughout its long history, the conceptual change literature assumed that student "misconceptions" in mechanics have been formed prior to instruction. As an attempt to shed light on conceptual change, this paper examines some of the trends in the literature and argues that misconceptions may be spontaneous rather than preformed, that schema…

Reports on a small-scale investigation of student understanding of moments of forces to provide some indication as to the nature of intuitive ideas in this area. Results of the investigation suggest three stumbling blocks in the conceptual understanding of moment of forces. (Author/ASK)

Discusses reasons for and ways of using computer software to teach mechanics. Describes using software to explore mechanics, challenge misconceptions, make links between mathematical representations and motion, and solve non-standard problems. Stresses the need for structured approaches to the use of software. (Contains 24 references.) (Author/ASK)

Force in modern classical mechanics is unique, both in terms of its logical character and the conceptual difficulties it causes. Force is well defined by a set of axioms that not only structures mechanics but science in general. Force is also the dominant theme in the "misconceptions" literature and many philosophers and physicists alike have…

Discusses the various conflicting trends in mechanics education that have appeared over the past two decades, especially as related to conceptual change teaching and learning. Proposes the theory of schemata as a means to resolve the conflict that exists within the literature. Contains 82 references. (Author/WRM)