Argumentation Based Explanations as Support for Learning Physics

Learning the concepts and the specific language within a particular domain is one important aspect in learning the domain in question. In the study reported on in this paper explanations were created based on an argumentation model and their effects on understanding and learning an important principle in classical mechanics (the principle of equivalence) was investigated. The results from the study which was based on prediction and explanation indicates that explanations as argumentation can be a valuable support in the context of understanding and learning a complex area. A large increase in correct predictions was observed after subjects had read the explanations that had been created based on the argumentation model. Further, in the subjects own created explanations for why predicted events would occur, subjects used concepts that had been explained and were crucial to be able to predict the event correctly. Explanations and concepts explained within explanations thus served as anchors for making correct predictions and also for explaining the predicted event in a scientifically more correct way.