• Open Access

Self-efficacy and conceptual knowledge in quantum mechanics during teaching reforms and the COVID-19 pandemic

Elina Palmgren, Kimmo Tuominen, and Inkeri Kontro
Phys. Rev. Phys. Educ. Res. 18, 020122 – Published 4 October 2022

Abstract

Physics instruction is often unable to support students’ self-efficacy. The remote teaching brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic has also affected learning. We surveyed an introductory quantum mechanics course for three years during a transition into the spin first approach, adapting the student-centered prime-time learning model and using it through the remote teaching during the pandemic. Prime-time learning includes weekly meetings where students and instructors discuss in a small group, and the assessment is based on exercises, group work, and self-assessment. We show that this teaching method improved students’ self-efficacy. Students’ conceptual knowledge post teaching remained high throughout the teaching reform, as measured by an abbreviated Quantum Mechanics Concept Assessment test. We also find that the prime-time model is remarkably stable during remote teaching: in contrast to many other studies, we did not see a decline in conceptual learning outcomes or self-efficacy in remote teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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  • Received 22 December 2021
  • Accepted 10 August 2022

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevPhysEducRes.18.020122

Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article’s title, journal citation, and DOI.

Published by the American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Physics Education Research

Authors & Affiliations

Elina Palmgren1,*, Kimmo Tuominen1,†, and Inkeri Kontro2,‡

  • 1Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, POB 64, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
  • 2Physics Unit, Tampere University, FI-33720 Tampere, Finland

  • *elina.palmgren@helsinki.fi
  • kimmo.i.tuominen@helsinki.fi
  • inkeri.kontro@tuni.fi

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Issue

Vol. 18, Iss. 2 — July - December 2022

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