The document discusses using concept inventories and interactive simulations to improve student understanding of electrical circuits. It describes developing a 20-question concept inventory to assess common misconceptions about AC and DC circuits. Students scored only 55-65% correct even after instruction. The author then created an animated circuit simulation to provide dynamic feedback as students explored circuit behavior in real-time. Students using the simulation showed significant gains in understanding temporal circuit concepts. Future work involves contrasting cases and combining strategies to help students distinguish between key circuit concepts.

1. Utah State University Using a Concept Inventory to Inform the Design of Instruction and Software Doug Holton [email_address] Department of Instructional Technology & Learning Sciences - http://itls.usu.edu/

22. What do you see in left box?

23. What did you notice? A Circle Now try it again What do you notice in the left box?

24. What do you see in left box?

25. What did you notice? A Smaller Circle You noticed the size now And perhaps the white color too Try It Again

26. What do you see in left box?

27. What did you notice? A Circle in the Middle Now the position of the circle Is more salient (Demo circuit examples)

30. Thank You, Questions? [email_address] http://edtechdev.blogspot.com Doug Holton Department of Instructional Technology & Learning Sciences http://itls.usu.edu/