North Dakota State University Faculty

• Congratulations letter

Mila Kryjevskaia, MacKenzie R. Stetzer, and Paula R. L. Heron, "Is a simple measurement task a roadblock to student understanding of wave phenomena?"

Mila Kryjevskaia in collaboration with MacKenzie Stetzer (U. of Maine) and Paula Heron (U. of Washington) submitted a manuscript entitled "Student difficulties measuring distances in terms of wavelength:  Lack of basic skills or failure to transfer?" 

In our ongoing research on student understanding of periodic waves and interference phenomena, we have found that many students experience difficulties when they attempt to express a distance of interest (e.g., the separation between two sources) in terms of the wavelength of the periodic waves.  This paper describes a systematic investigation focused on the identification of factors influencing student performance on a variety of tasks that require measurements of distances in terms of non-standard units (e.g., wavelength or the length of pencil).  We identified tasks that seemingly require an application of identical skills, but yield striking differences in student performance.  In a series of different problems situated in different contexts, and given at different stages of instruction, we probed several possible reasons for the observed discrepancies.  We systematically examined issues related to framing, transfer, representation, and difficulties with the concept of wavelength. 

Burrow will discuss work by Claude Steele "A threat in the Air"

Mila accepted this nomination for a three-year term.

Burrow will discuss collaborative research with Andrew Boudreaux on instructor's impact on gander gap in Physics.
See abstract.  

Nate and James will discuss video games and spatial cognition.

Burrow will discuss her undergraduate work with Andrew Boudreaux.