Development of Physics Curricula for Primary Schools and Gymnasia
Main researcher
: KRSNIK, RUDOLF (23955) Assistants
MIKULIČIĆ, BRANKA (31074)
PEĆINA, PLANINKA (28773)
ŠINDLER, GUSTAV (30512)
Type of research: basic Duration from: 10/01/91. to 12/31/95. Papers on project (total): 1
Institution name: Prirodoslovno-matematički fakultet, Prirodoslovni odjeli, Zagreb (119) Department/Institute: Department of Physics Physics Education Chair Address: Bijenička 32, p.p.162 City: 10000 - Zagreb, Croatia
Communication
Phone: 385 (0)1 455-57-30
Phone: 385 (0)1 455-57-30
Fax: 385 (0)1 43-25-25
E-mail: rkrsnik$dominis.phy.hr
Summary: Intrinsic properties of constructivisticaly oriented
physics teaching and its comparative advantages versus traditional approach
are investigated. The principal aim is implementation of contemporary
constructivistic ideas in Croatian physics curricula (for primary school
7th and 8th class, and gymnasia, 9th to 12th class).Materials for
constructivisticaly oriented teaching process are in preparation. Physics
concepts and concept maps are being developed on the basis of adequate
problem-posed situations, combining the use of class experiments with
historical, philosophical and epistemological aspects of physics.
Particular attention is paid to student's preconceptions (misconceptions),
their detection through interactive teaching process, and their integration
with scientific ideas (conceptual change). Conative, affective and
cognitive effects of such teaching/learning process are investigated.
Research has four stages, which are partially coinciding in time. In the
first stage the hypothesized inadequate effects of traditional physics
teaching are clinically investigated. In the second stage teaching
materials and textbooks are developed (teachers cannot teach
constructivisticaly using traditional minded teaching materials!) In the
third stage hypothesized superior effects of constructivisticaly oriented
teaching/learning process are being investigated.The fourth stage is
devoted to publication of essential results.
Research goals: The main aims of this project are: 1)Implementation
of contemporary constructivistic ideas, and numerous results of worldwide
research in the field of physics education, in the physics curricula and
into the learning/teaching practice in Croatia. 2)Devising
constructivisticaly minded teaching materials and textbooks which will
include: a) development of physical concepts and appropriate concept maps
combining the use of the history, philosopy and epistemology of physics
with class experiments; b) A particular stress on the huge role of
student's preconceptions, their detection in extremely interactive teaching
process, and their integration with scientific ideas (so called conceptual
change). Through the developing materials and textbooks we are trying to
express our current ideas that concern the problem of physics teaching, and
to find the way how to introduce constructivisticaly oriented physics
teaching in actual school practice. Our idea is to shift teacher's starting
point to the constructivistic approach with the help of an appropriate
textbook and additional material in which everything is already prepared
and ready for direct use in constructivisticaly oriented teaching
process."Everything" means that the complete process of construction (in
one specific way, of course) together with all neccesary connections among
different concepts is presented on the basis of problem-posed situations,
series of successive divergent and convergent problems,provocative
questions, and with strong emphasis on the conceptual approach and a lot of
disscusions through the text.Such a textbook gives even the traditionaly
oriented teacher an easy start with interactive constructivistic teaching
process. In the classroom the contents of the textbook shold be strongly
spiced with ideas proposed by students, which should strongly influence
both dynamic and actual development of the construction process. We expect
that teachers will create their own approaches on the basis of the proposed
course (particulary in interactive classroom situations) so that these
textbooks are not restrictions, but rather proposals for the new starting
point.
COOPERATION - INSTITUTIONS
Name of institution
: Centre for Studies in Science and
Mathematics, School of Education, University of Leeds Type of institution: Economical/Production City: Leeds, Velika Britanija
Name of institution
: Institut fur Didaktik der Physics,
Universitat Karlsruhe Type of institution: Economical/Production City: Karlsruhe, Njema;ka
Name of institution
: King's Kollege Type of institution: Economical/Production City: London, Velika Britanija
Name of institution
: University College of Physics Type of institution: Economical/Production City: Cork, Irska
Name of institution
: Ministarstvo kulture i prosvjete, Zavod za
školstvo Republike Hrvatske Type of institution: Institution whose primary activities ar City: 10000 - Zagreb, Croatia
Name of institution
: Ministarstvo prosvjete i športa Republike
Hrvatske Type of institution: State administration Type of cooperation: Systematic exchange of information City: 10000 - Zagreb, Croatia
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
Name
: Katalog znaja i sposobnosti za gimnazije (FIZIKA) Type of achievement: Catalogues, address books, Authors: Krsnik Rudolf (23955)
Name
: Prvi hrvatski simpozij o nastavi fizike "Problemi
osuvremenjavanja nastave fizike" Type of achievement: Other Authors: Krsnik R.,Mikuličić B.,Pećina P