Physics: Frightful, but fun. 3 November 2004 Working seminar CSSME, University of Leeds Carl Angell

Physics: Frightful, but fun. Pupils' and teachers' views of physics and physics teaching Carl Angell 3 November 2004

The aims of the project explore the factors that influence young people's choice to study (or not to study) physics in upper secondary school and university explore how pupils, teachers and university students perceive physics as a subject explore how pupils, teachers and university students experience physics instruction

Method Questionnaires to the following respondent groups: Grade 12 physics pupils1 141 responses Grade 13 physics pupils1 051 responses Physics teachers 342 responses 1st year physics students 196 responses 4th year students 49 responses

Example: Closed question

Example: Open questions

Focus group interviews 8 focus group sessions with 54 pupils Groups were segmented according to gender 4 groups were held with grade 12 pupils and 4 with grade 13 pupils –(Also focus group interviews with teachers)

The subject is (very) difficult The subject is (very) interesting Instruction is (very) good The amount of work is (very) big The speed of instructionis (very) high Physics: Hard, but interesting

In physics understanding is essential. That might be problematic, but has also positive aspects: Boy, gr. 13: I hate just accepting too much, such as in maths (...) pure rote learning, as I said. (...) But in physics it is OK, right? Most of it is understanding.

Girls have higher expectations regarding their understanding than the boys: Girl, gr. 13: I think maybe boys have an advantage (...) girls have to understand things, right? Because girls get hooked on it, whereas boys can kind of accept it more, and then they get on since they just let it lie

Doing calculations from basic laws Understanding everyday phenomena Learning to use measurement equipment Understanding everyday technology Experiencing exciting experiments Getting to know history of science Forming opinions Understanding the world What is (very) important in school physics?

The social element of physics knowledge appeared especially important for the girls: Girl:..it is quite fun, that theory of relativity. I got quite fascinated. Girl: I have explained relativity theory to several people, but then they all gave me stupid looks when I... Girl: (laughing) Yeah, right!

What is problematic in physics?

Mathematics in Physics – A Problem? “simple and uncomplicated calculations”, “everyone knows enough maths to do calculations in physics”. “If there are (..) teachers who complain that we do not know the maths, then at least they should show us” “When we have (...) two or three formulas that have a connection between them, and then we had to do some calculations on them and do some changes and such. We are not so good at that”

Mathematics in Physics – A Problem? It seems that it is the "translation" from a physical situation to a mathematical expression that causes trouble.

What I see as most characteristic of physics as a subject is:

Models Boy: I lost some interest in grade 12 when it was emphasised that this is only a model and reality isn't like that. Girl: [Physics is] reality in another way, you might say Girl: You don't discuss reality as it is, but in a way what lies behind

Perception of physics instruction 1 - never 2 - seldom 3 - sometimes 4 - often 5 - very often Std. error < 0.06

The Teacher In one of the focus groups, pupils from two separate classes with different teachers discussed the instruction. It appeared that the two teachers used very different methods, but both groups of pupils were satisfied with their own teacher and maintained that he gave the best instruction. This reinforces the impression that pupils adapt strongly to the teaching they actually do receive.

”Closed system” The picture that emerges of Norwegian physics pupils and their teachers is that they represent a "closed system" where both parties seem to get the subject they want. Pupils appear quite conservative, they are satisfied with the subject and the instruction and have few wishes for change. The teachers on their side get interested and motivated pupils who are very much like themselves.

What do you see as most characteristic of physics as a subject? A lot of knowledge we probably never will use in our daily life Always something to neglect in order that the formula should remain valid Difficult topics, explained in a even more difficult way, with a lot of confusing formulas Learn about things that are obvious, that the sky is blue and that bodies fall to the ground Little philosophy. We never discuss whether people perceive things as they really are Explanations of things that I didn't think needed any explanation, - but turned out to be interesting.

The road ahead Make the subject less demanding and work- intensive? Emphasise science knowledge in context? By appearing more "person-oriented" to attract girls? Use more qualitative/conceptual discussions and demonstrations? Make the role of experiments more clear? Integrate mathematics in the physics course? Provide more variation in teaching methods?

But: How would such changes be received by the teachers and pupils who are presently pursuing school physics? Will changes in physics curricula and instruction styles be enough to change the current trend for young people to turn away from the subject?