Enrollment year
2020/2021
Academic discipline
FIS/08 (DIDACTICS AND HISTORY OF PHYSICS)
Department
DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS "FELICE CASORATI"
Curriculum
PERCORSO COMUNE
Period
1st semester (01/10/2020 - 20/01/2021)
Lesson hours
48 lesson hours
Language
Italian or English upon request (English friendly course - http://fisica.unipv.it/dida/English-friendly-programme.pdf)
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of mechanics, thermodynamics and electromagnetism, as provided by the courses of the Bachelor's degree in Physics and Mathematics.
Learning outcomes
The course aims to introduce students to the use of the laboratory for the teaching/learning of physics by providing examples of innovative approaches, methods and tools.
Course contents
Based on the results of Physics Education research, students are guided to design and develop lab experiences for high-school students. Students acquire familiarity with both traditional and new teaching tools, such as Microcomputer Based Laboratory (MBL), video analysis tools (such as Tracker), simulation programs (i.e. Algodoo) and programs for multimedia and concept map construction. The course includes the presentation of a sequence of experiments, realizable with simple materials, which can complement an educational path on the greenhouse effect, with the objective of improving students’ environmental awareness (goal #13 of the 2030 Agenda). Students will be introduced to works and proposals from science education and history of physics research teams, all the while also considering the results of studies on spontaneous mental representations and conceptual change. Experiments are performed on different topics: mechanics, thermodynamics, and electromagnetism. Significant historical experiments are reconstructed and analyzed.
Teaching methods
Laboratory work carried out by the students in groups of two or three. Students use worksheets, tutorials and concept maps.
Design and implementation of experiments and simulations by means of low cost materials and common tools such as smartphones.
Reccomended or required readings
Arnold B. Arons, Guida all'insegnamento della fisica, Zanichelli, 1992.
Olivier Darrigol, Electrodynamics from Ampere to Einstein, Oxford University Press, 2002.
Assessment methods
Oral exam.
Discussion of reports and concept maps produced by the student during the course activities. The discussion is aimed at testing the disciplinary knowledge acquired by the student and her/his skill in designing and carrying out experiments suitable for high school students.
Further information
= Agenda 2030, goal #13
- Sustainable developement, climate change
Sustainable development goals - Agenda 2030
Università di Pavia - Offerta formativa