@inproceedings{62cb96e18aa6495b9518f80f0ec11f0c,
title = "Seeking physical/mathematical coherence by recruiting and reconciling reasoning: A case study in E&M",
abstract = "The entanglement between physical and mathematical reasoning can be exploited for problem solving, making physical/mathematical coherence seeking a desirable learning goal. Our research aim is to contribute an empirical example of physical/mathematical coherence seeking during physics problem solving. Drawing from a video corpus of 18 interviews with students solving qualitative E&M problems, we present a case study of how and why a student reasons coherently with physical entities/processes and mathematical equations across three lines of reasoning. We focus especially on the role of the student{\textquoteright}s attempt to seek coherence, which explains their serious consideration of a contradiction that arises between a physical and a mathematical line of reasoning. Even after reaching the correct conclusion, the student recruits a third line of reasoning involving ideas from outside the explicit problem statement to resolve the contradiction. We end by discussing hypotheses about how instruction in physical/mathematical coherence seeking could support students in problem solving.",
author = "Ehrlich, {Gabriel S.} and Katherine Gifford and Eric Kuo and Engin Bumbacher",
note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2021, American Association of Physics Teachers. All rights reserved.; Physics Education Research Conference, PERC 2021 ; Conference date: 04-08-2021 Through 05-08-2021",
year = "2021",
doi = "10.1119/perc.2021.pr.Ehrlich",
language = "English (US)",
isbn = "9780917853487",
series = "Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings",
publisher = "American Association of Physics Teachers",
pages = "111--116",
editor = "Bennett, {Michael B.} and Frank, {Brian W.} and Vieyra, {Rebecca E.}",
booktitle = "Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings",
address = "United States",
}