Challenges in addressing student difficulties with basics and change of basis for two-state quantum systems using a multiple-choice question sequence in online and in-person classes
Abstract
Research-validated multiple-choice questions comprise an easy-to-implement instructional tool for scaffolding student learning and providing formative assessment of students' knowledge. We present findings from the implementation of a research-validated multiple-choice question sequence on the basics of two-state quantum systems, including inner products, outer products, translation between Dirac notation and matrix representation in a particular basis, and change of basis. This study was conducted in an advanced undergraduate quantum mechanics course, in both online and in-person learning environments, across three years. For each cohort, students had their learning assessed after traditional lecture-based instruction in relevant concepts before engaging with the multiple-choice question sequence. Their performance was evaluated again afterwards with a similar assessment and compared to their earlier performance. We analyze, compare, and discuss the trends observed in the three implementations.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.2402.18069,
title = {Challenges in addressing student difficulties with basics and change of basis for two-state quantum systems using a multiple-choice question sequence in online and in-person classes},
author = {Peter Hu and Yangqiuting Li and Chandralekha Singh},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2402.18069},
year = {2024}
}
Comments
25 pages, 0 figures; added references