Session P6 - Teaching Quantum Mechanics.
INVITED session, Monday morning, April 07
Commonwealth D, Loews Philadelphia Hotel
Research in the teaching and learning of undergraduate quantum mechanics is being conducted at the University of Washington [1] and Grand Valley State University [2]. Because of its central role in quantum mechanics, we are investigating how students come to learn about probability. Our research has included the analysis of individual demonstration interviews, ungraded quizzes, and course examinations. We will show evidence that many students inappropriately use their intuition about classical mechanics in order to predict or account for quantum mechanical phenomena. Furthermore, student reasoning about probability in the classical regime is often incorrect. Our results support the growing body of empirical studies that suggest that meaningful learning of advanced topics is often impeded by persistent difficulties with fundamental concepts.
[1] Supported in part by NSF (DUE 9354501 and DUE 9652877). [2] Supported in part by FIPSE (116B70186), “A New Model Course in Applied Quantum Physics,” by E.F. Redish (Univ. of Maryland), R.N. Steinberg (CCNY) and Michael Wittmann (Univ. of Maine).