We describe a new style of MOOC designed to engage students with an immersive multimedia environment including text, images, video lectures, computer-based simulations, animations, and tutorials. Quantum Mechanics for Everyone is currently running on edX and has been successful by a number of different measures. Building on the pioneering work of…

This study employed mixed methods to investigate the efficacy of scaffolding self-regulated learning prompts within a whole-body educational game, "Waves." This game was designed to teach middle school-aged children basic concepts of waves by moving their bodies to mimic the motions of waves, physically experiencing different velocities…

This article considers a further experimental demonstration of the equations of projectile motion employing the popular video-based motion modeling tool called Tracker. Using a downloaded video--of a free throw attempt by the NBA star Lebron James--from YouTube.com, the primary equations of projectile motion, together with a number of projectile…

The possibility of negative temperatures on the Kelvin scale is intriguing and confusing simultaneously. This is because students are used to thinking of temperature as a measure of the internal energy of a system. While this concept is good for many systems, it does not work for all systems. Nuclear and electron spin systems, along with lasers…

This study aims to obtain information about the modelling situations related to the topic by performing concentration analysis of teacher candidates' responses to Force Concept Inventory (FCI). The research was conducted using survey model, which is a quantitative research method. The study was carried out in the fall semester of the academic year…

We design, validate, and administer a 24-item test to study student understanding of linear functions in 1D kinematics [x(t)] and mathematics [y(x)] in the 9th grade. The items assess identification and comparison of initial position and velocity in 1D kinematics and of the y intercept and slope in mathematics using a graph or an algebraic…

Animations are widely used in today's science classrooms. Therefore it is very important to explore under which conditions animations are most effective. In earlier studies it has been generally shown that the effectiveness of instruction largely depends on management of cognitive load. The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of…

We propose to reconsider the well-known experiment about the interference of white light from a thin soap film by adopting as an illuminating source the RGB triad produced by a LED projector. The interference pattern shows up in a particularly fascinating way and it contains direct, essential information about both the wave nature of light and of…

Electricity is taught in junior high school science in Australia and many other countries. While electricity is all around us and one would say that its context and relevance are obvious, students generally do not find learning about electricity engaging. The objective of this paper is to describe the development and evaluation of an open inquiry…

Physical phenomena and relations can be described mathematically by functional dependencies. These are represented in the form of tables, graphs, algebraic expressions or verbal descriptions. Only the combination of different representations enables students to experience a physical phenomenon or concept in a holistic way. Therefore, students have…

There is a current push to understand and address the under-representation of Black folks in physics, and STEM more broadly. This dissertation presents research that explores this lack of representation through studies of identity and practice, premised on an understanding of systems of oppression operating within the culture of physics. This work…

The relative speed concept was chosen since it is linked with the relative nature of motion and it is likely that the students would harbor many alternative conceptions about it. The research objective was to identify the various ways students conceive relative motion. Qualitative data collected in various forms of representation received a…

If I slowly raise a heavy book one meter up in the air, I do positive work. This work corresponds to an energy transfer. I lose chemical food energy that is consumed by my muscles to lift the book upward. Energy is gained by the book-Earth system in the form of gravitational potential energy that is stored in the gravitational field. But what…

Gyroscopes are frequently used in physics lecture demonstrations and in laboratory activities to teach students about rotational dynamics, namely, angular momentum and torque. Use of these powerful concepts makes it difficult for students to fully comprehend the mechanism that keeps the gyroscope from falling under the force of gravity. The…

If you think physics is only for older children, think again. Much of the playtime of young children is filled with exploring--and wondering about and informally investigating--the way objects, especially toys, move. How forces affect objects, including: change in position, motion, and shape are fundamental to the big ideas in physics. This…