Abstract:
Graphical knowledge, core component of the science curriculum, is an essential skill for
any technological innovation. A lack of such a skill is a reflection of poor conceptual
understanding. To assess students’ understanding of kinematic graphs, I have explored
the use of Beichner’s (TUG-K,version 3.2) diagnostic test for eliciting graphical
misconceptions amongst grade 11 natural science students of Etigye Tayitu general
secondary and preparatory school. The study was conducted using descriptive case study
method. The samples of the study were 70 students (27 male & 43 female).The data
gathering instruments used were questionnaire, interview and TUG-K pre- test & post test. The results indicate that students experienced considerable difficulty in virtually all
aspects of the test survey. Further, it is revealed that students experienced many
difficulties based on misconceptions that are deeply rooted in their prior school
knowledge. Through the treatment employed the sketching method, eye tracking method,
and inquiry based variety of active learning methods during the tutorial sessions the result
of the post test is considerably higher than that of the post test