HOT - physicsHOT - physics

HHigher igher OOrder rder TThinkinghinking

HHøjere øjere OOrdens rdens TTænkningænkning

Problem:Problem:

• Many pupils think in a very concrete Many pupils think in a very concrete wayway

• They do not understand abstract They do not understand abstract physicsphysics

• Many textbooks too difficult for >80%Many textbooks too difficult for >80%

• Problem in danish high schoolsProblem in danish high schools

• And in other countries??And in other countries??

Solutions?Solutions?

• Easier textbooks ?Easier textbooks ?

• Formula Free Physics ?Formula Free Physics ?

• Teach Teach aboutabout Phys not Phys not inin phys ? phys ?

• Learn pupils to think at a higher level Learn pupils to think at a higher level !!

Theoretical backgroundTheoretical background

• Constructivism Constructivism (Construct your (Construct your own notions)own notions)

• Development-Development-psychology psychology (Piaget)(Piaget)

Theoretical backgroundTheoretical background

• Constructivism Constructivism (Construct your (Construct your own notions)own notions)

• Development-Development-psychology psychology (Piaget)(Piaget)

0

20

40

60

80

100

8 10 12 14 16 18

High

Normal

Low

Photo: Curro

ExperimentsExperimentsShayer & Adey ca. 1990-1999Shayer & Adey ca. 1990-1999

• CASE programmeCASE programme• CCognitive ognitive AAcceleration through cceleration through SScience cience

EEducationducation

• Special lessons on thinkingSpecial lessons on thinking• Buzzwords:Buzzwords: Construction Zone Activity – Construction Zone Activity –

Cognitive conflict – Construction – Cognitive conflict – Construction – Metacognition - BridgingMetacognition - Bridging

English ResultsEnglish Results

• CASE-artiklel.pdfCASE-artiklel.pdf (p. 12) (p. 12)

QuestionQuestion

• It works for ca. 12-year old pupils i It works for ca. 12-year old pupils i UKUK

• Does it work for 16-17 year pupils in Does it work for 16-17 year pupils in DK?DK?

HOT – physics project in DKHOT – physics project in DK

• HOT-phys project 2000- ?HOT-phys project 2000- ?

• Poul V. Thomsen & Jens D. Holbech Poul V. Thomsen & Jens D. Holbech University of Aarhus dept. of Science University of Aarhus dept. of Science Didactics (CND)Didactics (CND)

• + 50 – 100 high school teachers+ 50 – 100 high school teachers

• + 1000 – 1500 pupils+ 1000 – 1500 pupils

Material and methodsMaterial and methods

• Variables and RelationsVariables and Relations

• sammensatte-var-04.pdfsammensatte-var-04.pdf

• Relations and Relations and proportionalityproportionality

• Variabel-controlVariabel-control

Preliminary resultsPreliminary results

• Landsgennemsnit-v03.pdfLandsgennemsnit-v03.pdf

Conclusion?Conclusion?

Conclusion?Conclusion?