Abstract

CRUZ, Raúl  and  MUNOZ, José. Implementation of a didactic secuence to the teaching of the force concept to engineering students. Conrado [online]. 2019, vol.15, n.68, pp. 281-284.  Epub Sep 02, 2019. ISSN 1990-8644.

The present study shows the design and implementation of a didactic sequence to teach the force concept from a qualitative approach for first year engineering students. The sequence aims to enhance students’ performance and comprehension of the concepts of force and Newton laws. The specific target population was students of the course Mechanics at the Minuto de Dios University Corporationin Zipaquirá (Colombia). The sequence introduces the concept of Force as the central element of the Newton’s laws of motion. Through didactic tools such as experiments, experiences, videos and applets, the proposal was implemented with two groups of first year engineering students: one with a daytime schedule, with 17 students, and another one with a nighttime schedule, with 12 students, in a pre-experimental design with pre- and post-tests. The statistical analysis of the results shows a meaningful improvement in the student’s performance and it does not find meaningful statistical differences between the groups although they are populations with different characteristics. A qualitative analysis also shows an improvement in students’ motivation to the subject and suggests that more time should be assign to implement the didactic sequence.

Keywords : Force; didactic sequence; teaching; physical.

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