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Improving Students' Understanding of Quantum Mechanics

Zhu, Guangtian (2011) Improving Students' Understanding of Quantum Mechanics. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Learning physics is challenging at all levels. Students’ difficulties in the introductory level physics courses have been widely studied and many instructional strategies have been developed to help students learn introductory physics. However, research shows that there is a large diversity in students’ preparation and skills in the upper-level physics courses and it is necessary to provide scaffolding support to help students learn advanced physics. This thesis explores issues related to students’ common difficulties in learning upper-level undergraduate quantum mechanics and how these difficulties can be reduced by research-based learning tutorials and peer instruction tools. We investigated students’ difficulties in learning quantum mechanics by administering written tests and surveys to many classes and conducting individual interviews with a subset of students. Based on these investigations, we developed Quantum Interactive Learning Tutorials (QuILTs) and peer instruction tools to help students build a hierarchical knowledge structure of quantum mechanics through a guided approach. Preliminary assessments indicate that students’ understanding of quantum mechanics is improved after using the research-based learning tools in the junior-senior level quantum mechanics courses. We also designed a standardized conceptual survey that can help instructors better probe students’ understanding of quantum mechanics concepts in one spatial dimension. The validity and reliability of this quantum mechanics survey is discussed.


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Details

Item Type: University of Pittsburgh ETD
Status: Unpublished
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Zhu, Guangtianzhuguangtian@gmail.com
ETD Committee:
TitleMemberEmail AddressPitt UsernameORCID
Committee ChairSingh, Chandralekhaclsingh@pitt.eduCLSINGH
Committee MemberKosowsky, Arthurkosowsky@pitt.eduKOSOWSKY
Committee MemberShuman, Larryshuman@pitt.eduSHUMAN
Committee MemberJohnsen, Rainerrj@pitt.eduRJ
Committee MemberDevaty, Robertdevaty@pitt.eduDEVATY
Date: 1 July 2011
Date Type: Completion
Defense Date: 2 March 2011
Approval Date: 1 July 2011
Submission Date: 7 March 2011
Access Restriction: No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately.
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Schools and Programs: Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences > Physics
Degree: PhD - Doctor of Philosophy
Thesis Type: Doctoral Dissertation
Refereed: Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords: objective test; peer instruction; physics education; research-based learning tools
Other ID: http://etd.library.pitt.edu/ETD/available/etd-03072011-133751/, etd-03072011-133751
Date Deposited: 10 Nov 2011 19:32
Last Modified: 15 Nov 2016 13:36
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/6452

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