Article Sidebar
Published:
Nov 7, 2024Keywords:
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
(i) AJER is an open-access journal. This means that all content is freely available to all. The author retains the copyrights associated with their work within AJER’s policy framework.
(ii) All articles can be accessed freely without any limitations of use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium so long as they are expressly cited.
(iii) The use of general descriptive names, trade names, trademarks, and so forth in this publication, even if not specifically identified, may not mean that these names are not protected by the relevant laws and regulations in their respective countries.
(iv) The publisher believes that all information is true and accurate at the time of going to press. In this regard, the authors, editors, and publishers cannot accept any legal responsibility for any errors, typos or omissions that may be made. There is thus no warranty for the materials contained in the articles.
Main Article Content
Assessing Learning in Mathematical Sensemaking Electromagnetism Instructions among Rwanda Polytechnic Students at Huye Colleg
Jean Claude Uwayezu
Janvier Kabalisa
Vincent Uzabakiriho
Abstract
In the realm of electromagnetic (EM) courses in engineering, many studies have reported students’ learning difficulties related to mathematical frameworks representing physical phenomena. Students’ learning engagement and learning gains are not satisfying. The present study assessed first-year engineering students’ behavioural engagement and perceived learning gains in mathematical sensemaking electromagnetism instructions at RP-Huye College. Within a single-case research design, a six-weeks intervention incorporating mathematical sensemaking instructions, supported by physical experimentation and computer simulations, was implemented to 61 first-year engineering students who were enrolled in the department of electrical and electronics engineering. All enrolled students were purposively recruited to participate because this target population was less than 100. Data were collected through classroom observations, which used the behavioural engagement related to instruction (BERI) and a post-topic evaluation, which used a semi-structured questionnaire. Data analysis involved the use of graphs, descriptive statistics and inductive thematic analysis. Findings revealed that students were mostly engaged during mathematical sensemaking by hands-on and simulation-based activities, particularly in topics related to electromagnets, where engagement levels peaked at 7.5 in average. Conversely, lecture-based tasks, especially on magnetic forces and electromagnetic induction, recorded the lowest engagement at 6.2 in average. The post-topic assessment on perceived learning gains showed that students had highly positive perceptions on their learning experiences (M=4.82, SD=0.48) and recognized the significance of EM in engineering (M=4.85, SD=0.38). These numerical results were complemented by students’ narrations, which indicated that they gained particular attention about specific EM formulas and how they can apply them in engineering. However, the present study also noted that further refinement in instructional design, particularly by incorporating specific dimensions of mathematical sensemaking, could optimize learning outcomes for EM courses in engineering. Additionally, formal assessments of students’ mastery and experimental studies can benefit future work.
