Data, data, data
Below is a synopsis of our findings. Click here for the full analysis.
This next graph shows the results from question number 3. For question number 3 participants were asked to observe the difference in sound they heard when their ear was touching a table versus not touching the table when an object was tapped on the surface. 69% of participants noticed that the sound was louder, 23% described the sound as being deeper, and 7% were unsure of any difference in sound. 92% of participants were able to notice a change in sound.
This experiment allows us to view the ability of our participants to identify change in sound, yet when asked why that change occurred participants were unsure of why and how that changed occurred.
This experiment allows us to view the ability of our participants to identify change in sound, yet when asked why that change occurred participants were unsure of why and how that changed occurred.
This graph depicts the results of question 5, do you think you can hear sound in water. 83% of participants responded correctly that yes, one can hear sound in water.
This question depicts our participants ability to observe and recall information from their past. Personal experience played a huge role in the high percentage of participants ability to answer the correction correctly.
The next graph depicts the role in which prior experience played.
This question depicts our participants ability to observe and recall information from their past. Personal experience played a huge role in the high percentage of participants ability to answer the correction correctly.
The next graph depicts the role in which prior experience played.
This graph examines the results of question 6, why do you think you can (or cannot) hear sound in space. 77% of participants referred to a personal experience as opposed to the 23% who referred to the science of sound travelling in water.
In this scenario, the personal experiences of the participants supported them in answering the question correctly. Personal experience plays a key role in the understanding of a concept. As an educator, it is essential to gain knowledge of the personal experiences of the learners in order to best determine their outlook on various concepts. Personal experience has emotional ties, which can often make it difficult to correct misconceptions.
In this scenario, the personal experiences of the participants supported them in answering the question correctly. Personal experience plays a key role in the understanding of a concept. As an educator, it is essential to gain knowledge of the personal experiences of the learners in order to best determine their outlook on various concepts. Personal experience has emotional ties, which can often make it difficult to correct misconceptions.
This final graph depicts the data from our last question, can you hear sound in space. The correct answer to this question is "no", due to the fact that space is a vacuum and therefore, sound has nothing to travel through.
The majority of participants believed that there was sound in space. In regards to the sound in water question personal experience greatly supported the participants. None of our participants have first hand experience of being in space, thus they relied on prior knowledge - mostly movies or a story of some sort that took place in space.
The participants prior knowledge in this case hindered their ability to correctly answer the question. Prior experience can be a great benefit, but can also provide many obstacles in understanding.
The majority of participants believed that there was sound in space. In regards to the sound in water question personal experience greatly supported the participants. None of our participants have first hand experience of being in space, thus they relied on prior knowledge - mostly movies or a story of some sort that took place in space.
The participants prior knowledge in this case hindered their ability to correctly answer the question. Prior experience can be a great benefit, but can also provide many obstacles in understanding.
implications for teaching
The data provides two main implications for teaching.
1) Prior knowledge and personal experience play a huge role in the understanding of a topic
2) Prior knowledge and personal experiences can also lead to misconceptions
1) Prior knowledge and personal experience play a huge role in the understanding of a topic
2) Prior knowledge and personal experiences can also lead to misconceptions