The process of iterative development of a teaching/learning sequence on acoustic properties of materials

© 2016, Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht. This chapter describes a case study of the process of design, implementation and refinement of an innovative teaching/learning sequence (TLS) aimed at tenth graders (15- to 16-year-old students) that deals with sound attenuation using different materials. The theoretical framework used to guide the design of the sequence structure, the selection of contents and the pedagogical approach are described. This chapter also reports the development of the teaching/learning sequence, carried out throughout two cycles of field testing to gradually improve the efficacy of the sequence in promoting better performance in students. Throughout this iterative development, we identified the problematic aspects of the sequence during its classroom implementation and analyzed the types of changes introduced to overcome students’ and teachers’ difficulties using the sequence and the critical reasons for those changes.