1. Department of Science and Technology Education
A Study on Physics teaching methods used by the grade 10 and 11 teachers in government schools
N. V. D. P. Priyadarshani
Department of Science and Technology Education
Faculty of Education
University of Colombo

2. Background
The G.C.E (O/L) is one of the main examinations in Sri Lanka.
Science is the main and compulsory subject which the student has to learn.
According to the new syllabus, Science subject is divided into three parts namely; Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

3. Cont.….
In school text books, all the relevant theories and practical methods are clearly indicated.
For the teachers, teaching methodologies are clearly indicated in the teaching guide.
But due to the lack of usage of those teaching methodologies effectively by teachers, student achievements are not in acceptable level.

4. Objectives
The main objectives of this research were,
Examining the teaching methodologies given in grade 10 & 11 text books related to subject Physics.
Examining how far identified teaching methodologies are used by teachers in grade 10 & 11 Physics.
Identifying the problems related to teaching methodologies in grade 10 & 11 Physics.

5. Research Design
This research was a mixed method research.
For examining the teaching methodologies given in grade 10 & 11 text books related to subject Physics. (1st objective)
Science text books of grade 10 & 11
Teachers guide of grade 10 &11
For examining the teaching methodologies of grade 10 & 11 Physics (2nd objective)
Teachers and Students in government schools of the Colombo district.

6. Sample selected from Colombo district Sinhala medium schools
Zone
Division
Selected Schools
1AB 1C
Type 2
Sri Jayawardenapura
Maharagama 3 1
Nugegoda 2
Kolonnawa
Piliyandala
Dehiwala
Colombo
Colombo- South
Teachers – 50
Students – 70

7. Methodology
To identify the current situation of the subject science in G.C.E (O/L) examination, 2013, 2014 and 2015 result sheets were examined.
Furthermore evaluation reports of years 2014 and 2015 G.C.E (O/L) examinations were examined to clarify the student interest of selecting questions and what kind of marks they obtained by selecting those questions.
To exam the teaching methodologies given in grade 10 & 11 text books related to subject Physics,
Science text books of grade 10 &11 and Teachers guide of grade 10 &11 were used to identify the subject content of the syllabus which is related to the Physics part of grade 10 &11 in the subject Science.

8. Cont.…
That subject content was examined in descriptive manner and identified the student centred activities and teacher centred activities.
To examine how far identified teaching methodologies were used by teachers in grade 10 & 11 Physics, data were gathered from students and teachers using
Questionnaire
Interviews
Observation
Also those tools are used to collect the data for identifying the problems related to teaching methodologies in grade 10 & 11 Physics.

9. G.C.E(O/L) Examination – 2013, 2014 and 2015 Results analysis
Results/ Findings
G.C.E(O/L) Examination – 2013, 2014 and 2015 Results analysis
2013
2014
2015
Total Student
264323
257002
272865 A
25506
19642
24270 %
9.65
7.64
8.89 B
18786
13939
21072
7.11
5.42
7.72 C
43989
40296
49778
16.64
15.68
18.24 S
90204
81808
90474
34.13
31.83
33.16
Pass(A,B,C,S)
178485
155685
185594
67.53
60.58
68.02 W
85838
101317
87271
32.47
39.42
31.98

10. Evaluation reports of years 2014 G.C.E (O/L) examinations
Marks
Mark’s percentage
Percentage
Question 9
Question 10
0 -3
0 -25 %
63.95
50.88
4 – 7
26 – 50 %
23.85
25.58
8 – 11
51 – 75%
8.97
17.27
12 – 15
76 – 100%
3.22
6.26
Evaluation reports of years 2015 G.C.E (O/L) examinations
Marks
Marks percentage
Percentage
Question 9
Question 10
0 -3
0 -25 %
57.07
55.82
4 – 7
26 – 50 %
25.74
22.27
8 – 11
51 – 75%
11.17
16.43
12 – 15
76 – 100%
6.03
5.48

11. According to the 2013, 2014 and 2015 result sheets of the science subject in G.C.E (O/L) examination, it indicates 32.5%, 39.4% and 31.9% failed participants respectively. So it means there are some problems related to the teaching learning process.
According to the G.C.E (O/L) examination evaluation report of the subject Science in year 2014 and 2015, it says that most of the students have 0 -3 mark out of 15 and there are only few percentage for marks between 12 to 15.

12. Considering the subject content of the Physics part in descriptive manner, there are 9 chapters for Physics part in grade 10 Science text book and it is 45% of the overall content. For that 58 periods are allocated and it is 35% from the number of total periods.
Considering the grade 11, there are 6 chapters for the Physics part in Science text book and it is 42.8% from the overall. For that 54 periods are allocated and it is 39% from the number of total periods.

13. Physics
Chemistry
Biology
Total
Activities
Assignments
Exercises 26 17 18 13 2 22 43 33 39
 Total
33 
39 
115  %
37.4
28.7
33.9
Student centered activities in grade 10 science text book

14. Physics
Chemistry
Biology
Total
Activities
Assignments
Exercises 28 3 9 37 12 14 40 49 26
 Total
115  %
34.8
42.6
22.6
Student centered activities in grade 11 science text book

15. Data analysis from student’s questionnaire
Percentage
Factor
Not Satisfactory
Marginal
Average
Good
Excellent
Your desire for physics
5.7
28.6
25.7
27.1
12.9
The relevance to everyday life
6.1
7.6
53.0
24.2
9.1
It's easy to understand the subject
0.0
22.4
41.8
25.4
10.4
Satisfied with the teacher
4.3
15.9
20.3
26.1
33.3
Does the teacher properly teach?
17.1
32.9
37.1
Are you satisfied with the teacher's subject knowledge?
1.4
5.8
18.8
23.2
50.7
Teacher performs practical examinations.
10.6
16.7
39.4
Existing equipment for practical
20.0
22.9
24.3
Teacher has sufficient knowledge to conduct experiments.
1.5
22.7
45.5
After the lesson the teacher evaluates you
12.3
9.2
27.7
26.2
24.6
Teacher pay attention to weak students.
8.8
14.7
29.4
38.2

16. Data analysis from Teacher’s questionnaire
Percentage
Factor
Not Satisfactory
Marginal
Average
Good
Excellent
Practical testing
0.0
2.2
13.3
68.9
15.6
Understanding equipment
8.9
80.0
11.1
Understanding the subject knowledge
10.9
58.7
30.4
Understand the imposition of equipment
13.0
69.6
15.2
Understand the safety of equipment
56.5
Understanding substitute equipment
4.3
6.5

17. The problems related to teaching methodologies in grade 10 & 11 Physics.
Speeding up the lesson
Do not explain the lesson well
Holding additional classes
Conducting question papers
Avoiding the some part of the lesson
Complex lessons
Friction - Equilibrium of forces
Geometrical Optics - Newton’s laws of motion
Electromagnetism and Electromagnetic Induction
Current Electricity - Electronics - Heat

18. Suggestions from Students and Teachers
Sufficient place, equipment and time to do the practical
Reduce the lesson content or amount
Introduce simple experiments
Conduct seminars for complex lessons
Increase student centered activities

19. Conclusions
Examining the grade 10 & 11 science text book, there are 37.4% and 34.8% student centred activities respectively but the problem is enough time is not allocated for the Physics part compared to the other parts; Chemistry and Biology.
Also due to the lack of adequate resources and teachers capability for organizing the lesson, teachers use some of the student centred activities as demonstration or using a suitable other teacher centred methods.
So that there is no enough chances to gather the knowledge from effective teaching methods.

20. References
Alles, J. (1985) Sri Lanka Tha Report of the Science Education,UNESCO.
Biegeleison, J. I. (1969 ) Career and opportunities in teaching. New York : Dutton
Howe, H. – In Donald J. Maccadthy and associates, Jossey Bass Inc. california. USA
Kerlinger, F. N.(1983). Foundation of Behavioural Research. New Delhi : Surjeet Publication.
Kotasek, J. (1975) Education on the move. Paris : UNESCO
Nicholls, S. H. (1975) Creative Teaching. London : Uniwin Ltd.
Schmidbauer, M. (1975) Education on the move. Paris : UNESCO

21. Cont.…
Yadev,M.S.(1992). Teaching of Science. New Delhi : Anmol Publications
Grade 10 Science text book (2015), Education Publication Department
Grade 11 Science text book (2016), Education Publication Department
Teacher’s Guide Grade 10 (2015), National Institute of Education
Teacher’s Guide Grade 11 (2016), National Institute of Education
G.C.E (O/L) examination evaluation report of Science subject in year 2014 and 2015
G.C.E (O/L) examination result sheet in year 2013, 2014 and 2015

22. Thank You…..