Effects of an in-service training program on physics teachers' pedagogical content knowledge : The role of experiments and interacting bodies in teaching Newtonian mechanics

Within the framework of a national science and mathematics education development program a long-term physics teachers training program was organized. The aim of the program was to enhance teachers pedagogical content knowledge, especially regarding the role of experiments in physics education. The role of experiments was discussed based on a practical teaching philosophy called perceptional approach. The research aimed at exploring teachers experience of the training program, as well as the effect it had on their beliefs about the role of experiments and the concept of interaction (interacting bodies) in teaching Newtonian mechanics. Moreover, the goal was to examine the influence of teachers' beliefs about interaction on students conceptual understanding of force. The model of pedagogical content knowledge and the model of practical conceptual change formed the frameworks for the research. The results of the teacher survey showed that teachers considered the training valuable for their daily teaching practice. The laboratory course was regarded to be most valuable. The course dealing with theoretical principles of the perceptional approach was less advantageous. Approximately 20% of the teachers had changed their beliefs in the use of experiments after the ideas represented in the training program. There were no significant differences between the experimental and control groups in the views regarding the reasons for using experiments in teaching physics. The most important objective for practical work was to enhance students learning of concepts. According to teacher interviews, some teachers were influenced by the program and the way experiments could be used in supporting the creation of meanings for concepts. However, some teachers strongly held to their previous beliefs. The effect of the training program on teachers beliefs about the concept of interaction as an organizing principle in teaching mechanics was examined using teacher interviews. The results showed no remarkable effects. However, the explicit use of interaction as a guiding principle in teaching Newtonian mechanics enhanced students conceptual understanding of force as measured with the Force Concept Inventory, which was translated into Finnish.

Grantor dc:publisher

Helsingin yliopisto

Year dc:date.issued

2013

Author dc:creator

• Jauhiainen, Johanna

• kasvatustiede

Statement dc:rights

• Julkaisu on tekijänoikeussäännösten alainen. Teosta voi lukea ja tulostaa henkilökohtaista käyttöä varten. Käyttö kaupallisiin tarkoituksiin on kielletty.
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• Publikationen är skyddad av upphovsrätten. Den får läsas och skrivas ut för personligt bruk. Användning i kommersiellt syfte är förbjuden.

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10138/39022

OAI record oai:identifier

https://helda.helsinki.fi/server/oai/request?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=dim&identifier=oai%3Ahelda.helsinki.fi%3A10138%2F39022