Discussion:

Our results show clearly that our students do not reach any satisfying understanding of basic concepts in physics, independent of the country or any specific method of teaching. The results achieved by the selected students, however, show, that at least 10% of the total population have learned and really understood Newton's principles. So it is possible to teach and to learn this topic.

The rest of 90% needs improvement.

The question is:

Why do some students understand and some not?

What has to be changed in the way, the topic is taught, so that better learning results are achieved?

The first question is difficult to answer because there are many different factors which could have an influence, for instance, the personality of the teacher, his/her enthusiasm, the teaching method applied, interest and motivation of the students, intelligence, etc.

Since it seems rather difficult to find answers to this question, it is proposed to work on the second question.

What can be done for improvement? Simulations alone will not do it. Two groups of the normal population have worked intensively with simulations and their results are only slightly above average.

For information about plans for further improvement please contact

Hermann Härtel, Kiel (haertel@astrophysik.uni-kiel.de).

References

1. HÄRTEL, H. 1994: COLOS: Conceptual Learning Of Science. In: de Jong T. Sarti L. (ed): Design and Production of Multimedia and Simulation-based Learning Material. Kluwer Academic Publishers, pp 189-217
2. White, B. (1983). Sources of difficulty in understanding Newtonian dynamics. Cognitive Science, 7(1), 41-65.
3. Heuer D. and Wilhelm T. (1997) Aristoteles siegt immer noch über Newton. MNU 50/5 S 280-285.