A Comparison of Computation, Discovery, and Graph Procedures for Improving Students' Conception of Average Speed

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Abstract
This study compared the effectiveness of three different instructional methods for improving students' estimates of average speed. In the discovery method students saw a computer simulation of the two speeds of a round trip. A second reference point simulated students' estimated speed to provide visual feedback on the accuracy of their estimates. In the graph method students saw a graph of how the initial speed of a round trip influenced the average speed when the return speed was held constant. In the computation method students calculated the answers to average speed problems. The discovery method was fairly successful than anticipated, and the computation method had little impact. The discussion analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of each method in presenting knowledge about specifics, trends, and principles.

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