Action Research in High School Physics

Larry Dukerich Dobson HS, Mesa, AZ Dept of Physics & Astronomy, Arizona State U.

Professional Development Current options



Graduate courses

Education Content area University Vendor-sponsored

Workshop

Independent study
2

Graduate courses


Advantages

Just show up and do the work Readily recognized by school districts or state Dept of Education Instructor sets agenda Content may not be relevant to your needs Unlikely to significantly affect current practice
3

Drawbacks

Workshops - Summer
Vary in length from 1-4 weeks  Modeling-type workshops most effective


3-4 week immersion experience Opportunities to examine ones practice Interaction with colleagues Promotes learning community
 follow-up meetings  communication via

listserv
4

Workshops-Commercial


Sponsored by technology companies

1-5 days in length Usually focus on learning technology Rapid pace & narrow focus
 How

to master use of technology  Can be overwhelming  Affords little opportunity for reflection 

Motivation to participate ?
5

Independent Study


Distance Learning

e.g., Montana State U

Arranged with professor at local college or university

Action Research - Origins



Modeling Instruction Program at ASU 1990-present

1st Summer Workshop

 Learn

Modeling Method in mechanics

2nd Summer Workshop

 Participants formed

AR teams to focus on revising materials for use in 2nd semester high school physics course  Goal: make curriculum model-centered rather than topic-centered
7

Action Research Team



2-6 teachers, university faculty, & grad students with common goals:

Improve some aspect of instruction

 Existing

high school physics course  Develop course recommendations for new course  Refine professional development courses in MNS program at ASU

Make improvements available to larger community

8

Action Research Roles of Action-Research Team

Professor Graduate Students

In-Service Teachers

Develop materials for classroom use Field-test classroom materials

Reflect on utility of materials

Action Research Models of Physical Science

Drew ideas from Underpinnings in Arnold Arons Teaching Introductory Physics  Worked on by AR teams in 5 successive summers  Evolved into materials for 9th grade physical science course  Currently taught as PHS 534 at ASU.

10

Action Research Models of Physical Science



Current efforts

Weave modeling, structure of matter and energy threads into a coherent full-year 8th or 9th grade physical science course Incorporate activities that integrate math and science courses
 Sim-Calc

Mathworlds (Jim Kaput)  Use of common vocabulary  Reinforce concepts learned in each course
11

Action Research Interaction of light & matter

PHS 560 Summer 2001 at ASU  Instructors goals:


Help teachers see utility of SHO to model interaction of electron and light Intro developments in 20th century physics to HS teachers Help teachers develop lessons for their advanced students
12

Action Research Interaction of light & matter



Attempt to use Modeling approach

Little formal lecture Integrated lab and discussion Intro teachers to use of software
 Excel

spreadsheets  Born (chain of connected oscillators)  Atom in a Box (electron transitions)  Visual Quantum Mechanics (models to account for spectra from gas lamps and LEDs)
13

Action Research Interaction of light & matter



Agenda too ambitious

Teachers rusty with calculus Compressed summer schedule not conducive to reflection and assimilation Conflict between covering material and allowing learning to occur

14

Action Research Team Interaction of light and matter

Professor, grad student, and three HS teachers  Goal: restructure course to make it more effective for Summer 2002  Weekly meetings at ASU to coordinate efforts of team members


15

Action Research - Advantages



For HS Teachers

Agenda based on perceived need Tasks negotiated between team members Intellectually rewarding Results in useful product Exposure to teachers with expertise in pedagogy
16

For Grad Students

Action Research - Advantages



For University/College Faculty

Satisfaction of helping local teachers Less demanding than regular course Members with common interests, but different motivations can learn from one another

For all

17