Doppler Effect: The effect of educational design research activities on problem solving in the Vhembe District. KNP

Abstract

The Doppler Effect is a topic included in the grade 12 physical science curriculum in South Africa. This topic provides the opportunity to integrate theory and the application of it in everyday experiences. Activities on the Doppler Effect were developed by using educational design research (EDR). It possesses an iterative design characteristic and was tested in 2 schools. Problems were documented and changes to the activities were made and tried out in 10 schools by 216 learners. These designed activities enable learners to predict, interpret and explain their observations and were developed to actively involve the learners in order to construct their own knowledge. As summative assessment, grade 12 learners have to sit for a common exam where the solving of problems is prevalent. The learners’ performance was therefore tested by correlating the marks of the activity sheets with that of solving problems on this topic in a written test. The test is a common test written by the entire Vhembe district and only the section on the Doppler Effect was used. This study is framed by the Martinand model and provides a theoretical framework for this study because it offer links between practice and theory which is important in the building, organisation and the integration of scientific knowledge. An instructional manual was developed comprising of the final activities and was distributed amongst the district officials and teachers to assist them in the teaching of the Doppler Effect in the Vhembe district.