Force-Motion Conceptions

This work is part of a long-term research project aimed at eliciting and solving difficulties students have in basic university physics. We have used two types of intervention to study general physics courses for students majoring in physics at Naples University (mechanics and thermodynamics, first year; electromagnetism and optics, second year). On the one hand student performance has been monitored by detailed and systematic analyses of various output: open and closed, informal questionnaires; formal and informal problemsolving; laboratory performance and reports: oral and written exams; interviews, etc. On the other hand, different kinds of small variations have been temporarily introduced into the structure and management of courses over the years, keeping within course standards, in an attempt to explore the “variational answer”. Some aspects of this work have already been presented (Balzano, 1992). Further remarks on teaching physics at the university level are included in the conclusions.