hrvatski

Assessment of the University of Osijek Engineering Students’ Conceptual Understanding of Electricity and Magnetism

The study of the conceptual understanding of electricity and magnetism was conducted with the engineering students at the University of Osijek. The Conceptual Survey of Electricity and Magnetism (CSEM), a recognized multiple choice test, was used to assess the students' conceptual understanding of electricity and magnetism and to diagnose difficulties they have in this domain. The test was administered to the first year undergraduate students of electrical engineering, computer engineering, civil engineering and food technology. The students from the Department of Physics were also included in the survey. The data analysis of the multiple-choice questions was performed by statistical methods of the classical test theory which determines the reliability and discrimination of the test as well as the relation of certain questions to the entire test. The CSEM results were compared with the published results of the American study and with the previously conducted testing in Croatia. Some students' misconceptions regarding difficulties in understanding certain concepts of electromagnetic induction and application of Newton‘s laws in the context of electromagnetism have been identified. The comparison of the engineering students’ conceptual and procedural knowledge of electricity and magnetism has also been evaluated.

CSEM test ; electricity and magnetism ; misconceptions ; conceptual and procedural knowledge

nije evidentirano

engleski

Assessment of the University of Osijek Engineering Students’ Conceptual Understanding of Electricity and Magnetism

The study of the conceptual understanding of electricity and magnetism was conducted with the engineering students at the University of Osijek. The Conceptual Survey of Electricity and Magnetism (CSEM), a recognized multiple choice test, was used to assess the students' conceptual understanding of electricity and magnetism and to diagnose difficulties they have in this domain. The test was administered to the first year undergraduate students of electrical engineering, computer engineering, civil engineering and food technology. The students from the Department of Physics were also included in the survey. The data analysis of the multiple-choice questions was performed by statistical methods of the classical test theory which determines the reliability and discrimination of the test as well as the relation of certain questions to the entire test. The CSEM results were compared with the published results of the American study and with the previously conducted testing in Croatia. Some students' misconceptions regarding difficulties in understanding certain concepts of electromagnetic induction and application of Newton‘s laws in the context of electromagnetism have been identified. The comparison of the engineering students’ conceptual and procedural knowledge of electricity and magnetism has also been evaluated.

CSEM test ; electricity and magnetism ; misconceptions ; conceptual and procedural knowledge

nije evidentirano