Investigating Upper-Division Students' Scientific Modeling Practices in the Context of Molecular Vibrations.
Research Mentor(s)
Muniz, Marc
Description
The development of students’ scientific modeling practices is crucial for their success as a future professional in the scientific community. Quantum chemistry is a domain in which there are many challenges for learners including, but not limited to, the abstract nature of the subject and the high levels of mathematization required to fully engage in the modeling practice. Our initial work on characterizing students’ scientific modeling practices in this domain has uncovered significant fragmentation of students’ understanding, and general difficulties related to choosing appropriate model components (e.g. mathematical expressions). Given these findings we have developed, and piloted a harmonic oscillator think aloud interview to look deeper into what part of molecular vibrations is misunderstood.
Document Type
Event
Start Date
17-5-2018 12:00 AM
End Date
17-5-2018 12:00 AM
Department
Chemistry
Genre/Form
student projects, posters
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Quantum chemistry--Research; Vibrational spectra
Type
Image
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Investigating Upper-Division Students' Scientific Modeling Practices in the Context of Molecular Vibrations.
The development of students’ scientific modeling practices is crucial for their success as a future professional in the scientific community. Quantum chemistry is a domain in which there are many challenges for learners including, but not limited to, the abstract nature of the subject and the high levels of mathematization required to fully engage in the modeling practice. Our initial work on characterizing students’ scientific modeling practices in this domain has uncovered significant fragmentation of students’ understanding, and general difficulties related to choosing appropriate model components (e.g. mathematical expressions). Given these findings we have developed, and piloted a harmonic oscillator think aloud interview to look deeper into what part of molecular vibrations is misunderstood.