Developing an Action Concept Inventory

Abstract

We report on progress towards the development of an Action Concept Inventory (ACI), a test that measures student understanding of action principles in introductory mechanics and optics. The ACI also covers key concepts of many-paths quantum mechanics, from which classical action physics arises. We used a multi-stage iterative development cycle for incorporating expert and student feedback into successive revisions of the ACI. The student feedback, including think-aloud interviews, enabled us to identify their misconceptions about action physics.

6 pages. This paper started out as arXiv:1507.06075v1, then split into arXiv:1507.06075v2 and this paper as a result of feedback from referees and an editor. arXiv:1507.06075v2 presents the case for teaching action physics, while this paper presents an evaluation tool