Abstract
The rapidly growing field of nanoscience and nanotechnology calls for the inclusion of general nano-education in our educational agenda. Student understanding of one of the key concepts in nanoscience, size and scale, serves as a prerequisite for students' learning of more advanced nanoscale science and technology. This paper presents the findings of a small-scale qualitative study with students studying nanoscale science aimed at exploring the ways they understand the idea of "size and scale". Results suggest wide variation in the way students understand this concept. The study identifies a preliminary typology of student conceptions of size and scale as it relates to macro and sub-macro phenomena along three key dimensions. In addition, the research identified a critical paradigmatic experience which appears to play a role in hindering the development of more complex and sophisticated understanding at each level of conception.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Proceedings of the Inaugural International Conference on Research in Engineering Education, ICREE |
| Publication status | Published - 2007 |
| Event | Inaugural International Conference on Research in Engineering Education, ICREE - Honolulu, HI, United States Duration: Jun 24 2007 → Jun 27 2007 |
Other
| Other | Inaugural International Conference on Research in Engineering Education, ICREE |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| City | Honolulu, HI |
| Period | 6/24/07 → 6/27/07 |
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Keywords
- Conceptual understanding
- Nanoscience
- Science education
- Size and scale
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Engineering(all)
Cite this
Understanding undergraduate students' conceptions of a core nanoscience concept : Size and scale. / Light, Gregory; Swarat, Su; Park, Eun Jung; Drane, Denise; Tevaarwerk, Emma; Mason, Thomas O.
Proceedings of the Inaugural International Conference on Research in Engineering Education, ICREE. 2007.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution
}
TY - GEN
T1 - Understanding undergraduate students' conceptions of a core nanoscience concept
T2 - Size and scale
AU - Light, Gregory
AU - Swarat, Su
AU - Park, Eun Jung
AU - Drane, Denise
AU - Tevaarwerk, Emma
AU - Mason, Thomas O
PY - 2007
Y1 - 2007
N2 - The rapidly growing field of nanoscience and nanotechnology calls for the inclusion of general nano-education in our educational agenda. Student understanding of one of the key concepts in nanoscience, size and scale, serves as a prerequisite for students' learning of more advanced nanoscale science and technology. This paper presents the findings of a small-scale qualitative study with students studying nanoscale science aimed at exploring the ways they understand the idea of "size and scale". Results suggest wide variation in the way students understand this concept. The study identifies a preliminary typology of student conceptions of size and scale as it relates to macro and sub-macro phenomena along three key dimensions. In addition, the research identified a critical paradigmatic experience which appears to play a role in hindering the development of more complex and sophisticated understanding at each level of conception.
AB - The rapidly growing field of nanoscience and nanotechnology calls for the inclusion of general nano-education in our educational agenda. Student understanding of one of the key concepts in nanoscience, size and scale, serves as a prerequisite for students' learning of more advanced nanoscale science and technology. This paper presents the findings of a small-scale qualitative study with students studying nanoscale science aimed at exploring the ways they understand the idea of "size and scale". Results suggest wide variation in the way students understand this concept. The study identifies a preliminary typology of student conceptions of size and scale as it relates to macro and sub-macro phenomena along three key dimensions. In addition, the research identified a critical paradigmatic experience which appears to play a role in hindering the development of more complex and sophisticated understanding at each level of conception.
KW - Conceptual understanding
KW - Nanoscience
KW - Science education
KW - Size and scale
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M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:84858487070
SN - 0878231935
SN - 9780878231935
BT - Proceedings of the Inaugural International Conference on Research in Engineering Education, ICREE
ER -