Development and evaluation of a biomechanics concept inventory

Abstract

To help instructors in evaluating innovations in biomechanics instruction, a standardised test of the key concepts taught in the introductory biomechanics course was developed. The Biomechanics Concept Inventory (BCI) consists of 24 questions that test four prerequisite competencies and eight biomechanics competencies. Three hundred and sixty seven students from ten universities throughout the United States took the test at the beginning and the end of the introductory biomechanics course. Analysis of a sub-sample of the students showed that the BCI was reliable with typical errors in internal consistency and test-retest conditions of 1.4 and 2.0 questions, respectively. Mean pre-test scores (8.5 +/- 2.0) significantly (p < 0.0001) improved to 10.5 +/- 3.2 in the posttest (n = 305). Typical biomechanics students could correctly answer half of the prerequisite questions on the pre-test. Instruction resulted in a mean normalised gain (g) of 13.0% of maximum possible improvement that was consistent with research on traditional instruction in introductory physics courses. It was concluded that the BCI could be an effective tool to evaluate the overall effect of pedagogical strategies on student learning of key biomechanical concepts in the introductory biomechanics course.

Qualitative biomechanical principles for application in coaching

“…Decades of research on physics instruction in higher education have shown common conceptual misunderstandings of mechanics by most college D. Kundson 110 students (Halloun and Hestenes, 1985;Hestenes Wells, and Swackhammer, 1992). Recent studies using standardized tests of biomechanical concepts have shown that, as for physics students, kinesiology majors have difficulty in replacing their naïve views of mechanics (McCloskey, 1983) with an understanding of Newtonian mechanics (Knudson, 2004;Knudson et al, 2003).…”

Simulación del desempeño profesional, recurso didáctico en docencia de ciencias del deporte / Simulation Of Professional Performance,Didactic Tool In Teaching Sport Sciences pp. 17-28

“…Los estudiantes se han documentado con la bibliografía aportada, respondiendo a una serie de preguntas que configuran la autoevaluación del estudiante y que le han mostrado su nivel de adquisición de los conocimientos, basándose en biomecánica cualitativa (Hamill, 2007;Knudson, 2007). La evaluación ha estado basada en el Biomechanics Concept Inventory (BCI), (Knudson et al, 2003), mediante 24 cuestiones de elección múltiple sobre contenidos generales de biomecánica deportiva.…”

Improving Engagement With Biomechanics: Student Perspectives and a Professional Development Initiative

“…The New Zealand curriculum and the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) favor a constructivist approach to Physical Education pedagogy, but this is not reflected as strongly in the actual practice of teaching [4]. Specifically, biomechanics is a discipline that is well positioned for hands-on, student-centered learning; but it is often the teacher's discomfort with biomechanical content that prohibits more engaged interaction [4,5] and can ultimately hinder student learning.…”