Addressing misconceptions about electric and magnetic fields: A variation theory analysis of a lecture's learning space

Abstract

This study explored which conceptual difficulties regarding electric and magnetic fields occur amongst South African physics teachers who participate in the Sediba programme. Misconceptions that were found were regarded in light of the variation theory of learning, i.e. it was investigated which critical aspects of the concepts electric and magnetic field the teachers do not discern, which could lead to their misconceptions and confusion of concepts. Finally, a lecture of the Sediba programme, which aims to enhance the teachers’ content knowledge, was analysed in light of the variation theory to investigate the space of variation that was established. The analysis determined the learning potential that emerged during the lecture in terms of the possible discernment of critical aspects, and consequently whether a change in the participants' conceptions could be expected.