Conceptual Change Texts Supported by the History of Science to Develop A Qualitative Understanding of the Light Wave

Abstract

In order to develop a qualitative understanding of the wave nature of light, we have designed and tested our approach which we call the Conceptual Change Texts Backed by the History of Sciences (CCTBHS). The CCTBHS uses two texts, one to recreate the controversy between Newton and Huygens over the nature of light, and the other to push students to engage in the task of resolving this controversy. In doing so, we aim to improve student's use of the optical wave model and the geometric optical model, as well as the correct prediction of light behavior. We adopted the Pre-experimental method with the design of the pre and post-test and a group of 28 students in the third year of high school. The comparison of the initial and final conceptions showed that the CCTBHS succeeded in rectifying the scientifically unacceptable ideas of the students.