The determination of the learning curve on the concept of energy using the alternatives ideas

Abstract

In this study, alternative ideas of energy were evaluated for five different age groups. Research participants included primary school, middle school, and high school students, students of the department of primary education, and active teachers in primary education. The same questionnaire was used in all groups, indicating that age-related differences exist between answers. The sigmoid curve, which represents energy learning, is obtained by analyzing correct answers according to age. Correlations between age and all questions were statistically significant. An engaging perspective is imparted on energy education. According to our findings, misconceptions and preconceptions of students and teachers diminish with age or, more accurately, with educational attainment. In addition to improving science teaching classrooms and curriculum design, the results of our study may also benefit teachers’ professional growth.

Assessing elementary understanding of electromagnetic radiation and its implementation in wireless technologies among pre-service teachers

“…After conducting a review of relevant literature, it was discovered that numerous studies have explored and documented the knowledge, perceptions, and alternative ideas of both students and teachers concerning various Physics concepts such as force and motion (Christonasis & Kotsis, 2022;Liu & Fang, 2016;Lopez, 2003;Rowlands et al, 2005;Stylos et al, 2008;Temiz & Yavuz, 2014), gravity (Gonen, 2008;Kikas, 2004;Sneider & Ohadi, 1998), energy (Lee, 2016;Kotsis & Panagou, 2023;Stylos & Kotsis, 2021;Stylos et al, 2017;Yeh et al, 2017), electricity (Metioui, 2022;Moodley & Gaigher, 2019;Widodo et al, 2018), and environment (Gontas et al, 2020(Gontas et al, , 2021Goulgouti et al, 2019;Gavrilakis et al, 2017;Papanikolaou et al, 2020Papanikolaou et al, , 2021. In contrast to engineering, which deals with tangible and concrete objects (Yalvac et al, 2007), electromagnetic fields, waves, and radiation are abstract and intangible concepts (Griffiths, 2017) that are challenging to comprehend through direct observation or sensory experiences (Papoulis, 1977).…”

Alternative ideas about concepts of physics, a timelessly valuable tool for physics education

“…Recently published two studies, where, with the help of alternative ideas of force (Kotsis & Panagou, 2023a) and energy (Kotsis & Panagou, 2023b), determine the learning curve for a physics concept. The learning curve is a graphical representation of the rate at which learning occurs over time.…”

The Outcomes of the Learning Curve for a Concept in Physics Education

“…Recently published two studies where the learning curve for the concept of force (Kotsis & Panagou, 2022) and the concept of energy (Kotsis & Panagou, 2023b) are determined using the misconceptions of the concepts. Tracking students' misconceptions over time can determine the learning curve for the concept.…”