Design and evaluation of a research-based teaching sequence: the superposition of electric field

This paper illustrates our approach to research based leaching strategies, including their evaluation. It deals with a teaching sequence on the superp osition of electric fields. implemented at college level in an institutiona l framework subject to severe constraints. The general approach to the teac hing-learning processes is that of a motivated and guided construction. Con sistently, this sequence was designed on the basis of two interrelated stud ies: a content analysis of the domain and an investigation of common ways o f reasoning. Thus, the part played by multicausality in the superposition p rinciple and the tendencies previously observed in common reasoning as rega rds the analysis of multivariable problems inspired the main choices made f or this sequence. The evaluation method, using 'conceptual profiles', will be explained and illustrated with the main findings. A discussion of this a pproach ends the paper.