Investigating the conceptions of force in everyday life situations throughout the Kellyan Experience Cycle

Abstract

This research explored the construction process of the scientific concept of force among pupils at High School, who were engaged in a didactic sequence organized according to the five phases of Kellyan Cycle of experience: Anticipation, Investment, Encounter, Confirmation or Disconfirmation and Constructive Revision. It also intended to identify conceptions of force applied to everyday life situations. The results of this research showed that pupils, during the Anticipation phase, possessed intuitive conceptions as well as difficulties in differentiating the concepts of orientation and direction of a force. The activities developed during the Cycle aroused pupils´ attention, impelling them to develop hypotheses, to reflect and to establish relationships between experienced situations and the theme under study. This enabled the evolution of their concepts.

Keywords

• Ensino de Física
• Ciclo da Experiência Kellyana
• Força
• Cotidiano