B5833 - Didattica della fisica 1

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student will know: the main results obtained from research in Physics Education about some conceptual, epistemological and linguistic knots in the teaching/learning of physics; approaches and methods for instruction design in physics; approaches and methods for monitoring and analyzing physics teaching and learning processes. The student will be able to: identify, consult and use research materials for educational purposes; recognize the characteristics and potential of different monitoring tools; recognize the structure of a research-based educational project.

Course contents

The following will be illustrated and discussed during the course:

- national and international indications, and theoretical references developed by research in physics education useful for analyzing the educational and cultural value of physics in the society of acceleration and uncertainty;

- frameworks developed in physics education research useful for recognizing the conceptual, cognitive, epistemological knots of physics and evaluating their relevance in the historical evolution of the discipline;

- research references and results in physics education useful for recognizing learning dynamics in the classroom;

- research references and results in physics education on learning environments and forms of participation.

More specifically, the following will be presented:

- tools to analyse physics as a discipline, deriving from research on the Nature of Science (with particular attention to the Family Resemblance Approach);

- tools to analyse intuitive and common sense knowledge, deriving from research on conceptual change (from Concept Inventories to Knowledge in Pieces constructs);

- the Model of Educational Reconstruction for designing educational interventions;

- results and models on participation patterns (IRE, revoicing, forms of orchestration).

- European competence frameworks (such as the GreenComp) to reflect on the cultural relevance of physics in the society of acceleration and uncertainty.

The tools developed by research in Physics Education will be discussed in the context of the basic concepts of classical physics (concepts of force and interaction, classical conceptions of space and time, object and system models, and mechanistic forms of explanation).

Readings/Bibliography

During the course, teaching material is provided via Virtual.

The material consists of slides/presentations, research articles, and work material (sheets for individual work and group work, questionnaires,...).

For further information on the topics of the course, we recommend consulting the following texts:

Gagliardi M., Giordano E. (2014), Metodi e strumenti per l'insegnamento e l'apprendimento della fisica, EdiSES.

Besson U. (2015), Didattica della fisica, Carocci.

Teaching methods

Interactive lessons, group work, peer-to-peer, co-planning.

During the course, various types of texts will be analyzed (textbook chapters, research articles, historical-epistemological critical essays) to get acquainted with the different layers of discourse in physics teaching: conceptual/disciplinary, cognitive, epistemological of teaching practice.

Assessment methods

The acknowledgment of the course will be provided by means of  the verification of the minimum percentage of attendance and the delivery of any exercises requested during the course. The evaluation of the learning of the teaching contents takes place at the same time as the final test for the acquisition of the qualification to teach in the competition class of the training course, provided for by Art. 9 of the Prime Ministerial Decree of 4 August 2023.

Teaching tools

Slides, research material, videos and various types of multimedia material (educational applets, films, material relating to experimentation of educational paths in secondary school classes, ..).

Office hours

See the website of Olivia Levrini