Conceptual change through cognitive perturbation using simulations in electricity and magnetism : a case study in Ambo University, Ethiopia

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate physics undergraduate students’ conceptual change in the concepts of electric potential and energy (EPE) and electromagnetic induction (EMI). Along with this, categorization of students’ conceptions was done based on students’ epistemological and ontological descriptions of these concepts. In addition, the effect of cognitive perturbation using physics interactive simulations (CPS) in relation to cognitive conflict using physics interactive simulations (CCS) was investigated. A pragmatic mixed methods approach was used in a quasi-experimental design. Data were collected by using the modified Diagnostic Exam of Electricity and Magnetism (DEEM), focus group discussions (FGD) and concept maps (CM). Framework analysis was conducted separately on FGD and CM qualitative data to categorize students’ conceptions while concentration analysis was used to categorize students’ responses to the modified DEEM into three levels, during pre and post intervention. In the qualitative results, six categories of alternative conceptions (naive physics, lateral alternative conceptions, ontological alternative conceptions, Ohm’s P-Primes/ P-Primes, mixed conceptions and loose ideas) and two categories of conceptual knowledge (hierarchical and relational) were identified. The alternative conceptions were less frequently and inconsistently revealed within and across the categories. It was concluded that the categories have common characteristics of diversified distribution of alternative conceptions and multiple alternative conceptions of specific concepts within and across the categories. Most of the categories found in pre intervention persisted in post intervention, but with a lesser percentage extensiveness of categories of alternative conceptions in the CPS than in the CCS class and more percentage extensiveness of categories of conceptual knowledge in the CPS than in the CCS class. ANCOVA was separately conducted on the scores of 45 students on the modified DEEM and CM tests to compare the effectiveness of the CCS and CPS. The results showed a significant difference between the two classes of the post test scores on the DEEM test, (1, 36) = 4.66, p=0.04 and similarly, on the CM test, (1, 31) = 8.33, p=0.007. Consequently, it was concluded that there is a statistically significant difference between CPS and CCS in changing students’ alternative conceptions towards scientific conceptions favoring CPS. To characterize and compare students’ conceptual change of both treatment classes, Hake’s average normalized gain <g> from pre to post scores (the modified DEEM and the CM) were analyzed. Finally, it is suggested that in abstract conceptual areas of EM, cognitive perturbation through interactive simulations is more effective than cognitive conflict through interactive simulations in facilitating conceptual change, and, thus, should guide classroom instruction in the area. Furthermore, recommendations are also suggested for guiding future research in this area.