Dr. Alexander Volfson
Dr. Alexander Volfson is a physics lecturer; science education researcher and; a circus artist. Alexander earned his Ph.D. in Science & Technology Education in the Ben-Gurion University. His research concerns physics education, dialogic teaching, misconceptions and conceptual change. These come together in developing methods for physics teaching via circus art
Profile
Be'er Sheva
404 Legacy(60)
Education
2012 – 2019 Ph.D. in Science and Technology Education. Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel. Dissertation title: Physics behind Acoustical Devices: Development of a Diagnostic Instrument for Examining the Understanding of the Underlying Physics Principles Explaining How Simple Acoustic Apparatuses Work. Adviser: Prof. Haim Eshach. Co-adviser: Prof. Michael N. Fried.
2008 – 2011 M.Sc. in Science and Technology Education. Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel. Dissertation title: Dialogue on sound waves: From particle to particle. Advisers: Prof. Haim Eshach, Prof. Michael N. Fried.
2004 – 2006 Physics teacher diploma. Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel.
2000 – 2004 B. Sc. in Physics. Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel.
Research
Between Circus and Science. Development of research and pedagogic instruments for mechanics and thermodynamics teaching via circus art.
Grants
2019 – 2020 MOFET Institute, Israel. Grant for science teaching research.
2015 – 2018 Ben-Gurion University in the Negev, Israel. Scholarship for doctoral studies in science and technology teaching reasearch.
Courses
Introduction to physics 1&2
Publications
Peer reviewed papers
Volfson, A., Eshach, H. and Ben-Abu, Y. (2022). History of science based dialogues on sound waves: From sound atoms to phonons. Phys. Rev. Phys. Educ. Res.
Volfson, A. and Ben-Abu, Y. (2021). Developing a simple statistic for estimating mental model state due to the results of a convergent knowledge test in the case of two possible models: Preliminary study. Phys. Rev. Phys. Educ. Res.
Volfson, A., Eshach, H. and Ben-Abu, Y. (2020). Identifying physics misconceptions at the circus: The case of circular motion. Phys. Rev. Phys. Educ. Res.
Volfson, A., Eshach, H. and Ben-Abu, Y. (2020). When technology meets acoustics: Students’ ideas about the underlying principles explaining simple acoustic devices. Research in Science Education.
Eshach, H., Volfson, A. and Ben-Abu, Y. (2019). Introducing the idea of entropy to the ontological category shift theory for conceptual change: the case of heat and sound. Physical Review Physics Education Research. In press.
Volfson, A., Eshach, H. and Ben-Abu, Y. (2018). Development of a diagnostic tool aimed at pinpointing undergraduate students’ knowledge about sound and its implementation in simple acoustic apparatuses analysis. Physical Review Physics Education Research 14, 020127-1 – 020127-12.
Eshach H. and Volfson A. (2015). Explanatory model for sound amplification in a stethoscope. Physics Education 50(75).