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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Rahmani, Fateme, Kalateh, Fatemeh Ahmadi
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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Online Access:https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.13723
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author Rahmani, Fateme
Kalateh, Fatemeh Ahmadi
author_facet Rahmani, Fateme
Kalateh, Fatemeh Ahmadi
contents The concept of potential difference is fundamental to understanding electricity in upper secondary physics courses. However, students often find it challenging to grasp. To address this, we designed and implemented a test aimed at assessing students comprehension of potential difference. This researcher developed test, with a reliability coefficient of 0.74, was administered to 92 students in grades 11 and 12. To evaluate the test and gauge the depth of student learning, we employed the Structure of Observed Learning Outcomes SOLO Taxonomy. Our study is the first to apply the SOLO Taxonomy to this physics topic, contributing new insights to educational literature. The analysis revealed that 71% of students displayed prestructural and unistructural levels of understanding which is the shallowest learning stage while only 3% achieved higher levels of comprehension. Additionally, our analysis of student responses identified areas where understanding diverged from scientific explanations. By analyzing these difficulties, educators can develop targeted assessments and implement similar practices to improve learning before these challenges become deeply ingrained.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2507_13723
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Assessing students understanding of the concept of electric potential difference based on the SOLO taxonomy in upper-secondary students for a targeted assessment
Rahmani, Fateme
Kalateh, Fatemeh Ahmadi
Physics Education
The concept of potential difference is fundamental to understanding electricity in upper secondary physics courses. However, students often find it challenging to grasp. To address this, we designed and implemented a test aimed at assessing students comprehension of potential difference. This researcher developed test, with a reliability coefficient of 0.74, was administered to 92 students in grades 11 and 12. To evaluate the test and gauge the depth of student learning, we employed the Structure of Observed Learning Outcomes SOLO Taxonomy. Our study is the first to apply the SOLO Taxonomy to this physics topic, contributing new insights to educational literature. The analysis revealed that 71% of students displayed prestructural and unistructural levels of understanding which is the shallowest learning stage while only 3% achieved higher levels of comprehension. Additionally, our analysis of student responses identified areas where understanding diverged from scientific explanations. By analyzing these difficulties, educators can develop targeted assessments and implement similar practices to improve learning before these challenges become deeply ingrained.
title Assessing students understanding of the concept of electric potential difference based on the SOLO taxonomy in upper-secondary students for a targeted assessment
topic Physics Education
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.13723