2002-2003 Colloquium Series

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NAU Physical Sciences (Bldg 19, Rm 321), Wednesday, 12 February 2003, 4:00 PM
(Refreshments at 3:45pm)

Of What Value is Physics Education Research? A Vision!

David Cole , Northern Arizona University.

Abstract

First, a brief history of science/physics education will be presented. Discussion will then center on the results of an informal literature content analysis compiled on the most recent 5 years of two prominent journals that publish physics education research (PER). These recent results are then compared to a larger 'resource' survey of the field published in 1998. Evident trends will become apparent, as will one area of research that, while considered important in the larger education community, is underrepresented in the PER literature. These surveys provide a context for my past, present and future research, which are then discussed. I will then give my humble answer to the question posed in the title.

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