How we teach and how students learn Physics- a mismatch?

1) Traditional teaching of physics is based on teacher's view of subject and teacher's perception of the students.

2) Criteria used as a mastery of the subject is performance on standard quantitative problems. Students are dependent on formula and do not develop functional understanding of physics.

3) Student must be able to define a concept, relate to it, differentiate it from other related concepts so as to be able to apply it in a variety of contexts.

4) Students need time to apply same concepts and reasoning in different contexts, to reflect upon these experiences and to generalize from them.

5) Traditional teaching does not challenge but tends to reinforce a perception of physics as facts and formulas. Students do not recognise the role of reasoning in physics nor can they understand what constitutes an explanation.

6) Students are unable to relate concepts and representation of physics to the real world.

7) Teaching by telling is an ineffective mode for most students.

How do improve the match then, between teaching and learning of physics?

*points adapted from McDermott (1993)*




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Expectations

My previous VP ever told me this: Set high standards and expectations for our students, they will definitely meet up to it.

I expressed my dissapointment yesterday to a graduating class of 4E who was not able to finish an assignment by my deadline. They were silent throughout (full of remorse, I hope) and the atmosphere became so serious. I used that moment to start on a new lesson and they were very engaged-asking questions and so on.

I believe that students need constant reminders on doing of assignments, behaviour and attitude to remind them constantly of our expectations. If we expect the best from them, they will become better. Maybe not instantly but in the long run and over constant monitoring.

Makes me wonder now whether am I expecting too little from my graduating class of 4T. Can I expect more from them, in terms of academic performance and completing assignments?


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