Attention and Encoding in Physics Learning and Problem Solving
Feil, Adam John
This item is only available for download by members of the University of Illinois community. Students, faculty, and staff at the U of I may log in with your NetID and password to view the item. If you are trying to access an Illinois-restricted dissertation or thesis, you can request a copy through your library's Inter-Library Loan office or purchase a copy directly from ProQuest.
Permalink
https://hdl.handle.net/2142/80116
Description
Title
Attention and Encoding in Physics Learning and Problem Solving
Author(s)
Feil, Adam John
Issue Date
2009
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Stine-Morrow, Elizabeth A.L.
Department of Study
Educational Psychology
Discipline
Educational Psychology
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Education, Sciences
Language
eng
Abstract
This dissertation presents several studies designed to probe the mental representations that physics experts and novices form when interacting with typical instructional materials, such as diagrams and problem statements. By using recognition tasks and a change detection task, the mental representations of experts and novices are studied in a more direct way than with tasks such as problem sorting or interviews. Results show that the experience and knowledge of physics experts influence the features of visual stimuli that they encode. However, a recognition task designed to probe physics experts' representations of physics problems revealed no evidence for the presence of physics principles. The final study in this dissertation used eye-tracking and a measure of cognitive load to determine that animating multimedia learning content can help to focus learners' attention towards relevant items on the screen and in some cases reduce cognitive load as well.
Use this login method if you
don't
have an
@illinois.edu
email address.
(Oops, I do have one)
IDEALS migrated to a new platform on June 23, 2022. If you created
your account prior to this date, you will have to reset your password
using the forgot-password link below.
