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We use force concept inventory (FCI) data to probe the consistency of commonsense physics as a knowledge system. The source of this data is the administration of the FCI to first-year science university students. Data quality was checked using item response theory and studying answer distributions for each question. We find apparently paradoxical results: depending on how the data is analysed, answers seem highly systematic or almost random-like. These results are compatible with others found in the literature and can be construed as arising either from a coherent knowledge system or from knowledge in pieces. We hypothesise as a possible source of this apparent contradiction that predictions and explanations use different resources: the former would use reflex, low-cost cognitive resources while the latter would involve conceptualisations. We show that the articulation of both resources may be crucial for expert thinking productivity (the ability to apply a theory to novel situations). We sketch some consequences of the proposed structure of commonsense thinking for teaching and further research., Instituto de Física de Líquidos y Sistemas Biológicos

Se presenta el análisis y discusión de la implementación de una modalidad de trabajo práctico de laboratorio (TPL) para el nivel universitario, desarrollada a partir de los resultados de investigaciones propias. El formato pretende que los estudiantes, a partir de tener claros los objetivos del TPL, puedan tomar decisiones que los lleven a realizar la tarea planteada. De este modo se evita que los realicen mecánicamente. La evaluación de las implementaciones muestra que los estudiantes se comprometieron con la tarea haciendo suyo el objetivo del TPL y tomando decisiones durante el desarrollo del mismo. La propuesta parece generar en los estudiantes seguridad, compromiso, actitud lúdica y participación proactiva. Por otra parte, permite establecer conexiones entre la teoría y los fenómenos dado que, en general, los estudiantes recurren inicialmente a sus ideas previas para finalmente conectar la tarea con la teoría, estableciendo relaciones que favorecen el aprendizaje de la disciplina. We present the analysis and discussion of a type of laboratory practice (TPL) for university level. The new format attempts to enable the students, starting with a clear understanding of the TPL, to take decisions which lead them to do the proposed routine. This way we try to avoid students doing the TPL mechanically. The evaluation of the implemented TPL shows that the students are committed to the task and make the objective of the TPL their own, taking decisions during the laboratory sessions. This proposal seems to generate in the students feelings of assurance, compromise, playfulness and proactive participation. The proposed format allows the students to establish relations between the theory and the phenomena. They initially resort to their previous ideas and finally make the connection between the task and the theory and so establish relations which favor the learning of the discipline.