Skip to main content
Log in

Physics Student Teachers' Ideas about the Objectives of Practical Work

  • Published:
Science & Education Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The aim of this study was to discover physics student teachers' objectives forpractical work in teaching physics. The subjects of the study were physics studentteachers participating in a course titled ‘Experimental school physics’. The theoreticalbackground of the course was based on a quite unique ‘perceptional’ approach, and theresults indicate that after attending the course student teachers found that the practicalwork which they had done was very useful. In particular, they felt that practical workcan foster both an understanding of the content of physics and also the actual processof learning it.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Hirvonen, P.E. & Saarelainen, M.: 2000, ‘Does Laboratory Work Improve Students' Understanding of Direct Current Circuit’, in L. Aho and J. Viiri (eds.), Undervisning i Naturvetenskap ur Kultur-, Teknologyoch Miljöperspektiv, University of Joensuu, pp. 300-311.

  • Hodson, D.: 1996, ‘Laboratory Work as Scientific Method: Three Decades of Confusion and Distortion’, Journal of Curriculum Studies 28(2), 115-135.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hodson, D.: 1998, ‘Is This Really What Scientists Do? Seeking A More Authentic Science in and Beyond the School’, in J. Wellington (ed.), Practical Work in School Science, Which Way Now? Routledge, pp. 93-108.

  • Hämäläinen, A.: 1998, An Open Microcomputer-based Laboratory System for Perceptional Experimentality, Report series in physics HU-P-D70, University of Helsinki.

  • Kurki-Suonio, K. & Kurki-Suonio, R.: 1994, The Meanings and Structures of Physics, Limes, Helsinki (in Finnish).

  • Leach, J.:1998, ‘Teaching about The World of Science in The Laboratory: The Influence of Students' Ideas’, in J. Wellington (ed.), Practical Work in School Science, Which Way Now?, Routledge, pp. 52-68.

  • Millar, R.: 1998, ‘Rhetoric And Reality: What Practical Work in Science Education Is Really for’, in J. Wellington (ed.), Practical Work in School Science, Which Way Now?, Routledge, pp. 16-31.

  • Niedderer, H., Haller, K., Hucke, L., and Sander, F.: 1997, ‘Learning Processes during Labwork in Introductory Physics Courses in University’, Paper presented in First ESERA-conference ‘science Education Research in Europe’, Rome, Italy, 1997.

  • Séré, M-G.: 1999, ‘Learning Science in the Laboratory: Issues Raised by The European Project 'Labwork in Science Education’, in M. Bandiera, S. Caravita, E. Torracca and M. Vicientini (eds.), Research in Science Education in Europe, Kluwer Academic Publisher, pp. 165-174.

  • Welzel, M., Haller, K., Bandiera, M., Hammelev, D., Koumaras, P., Niedderer, H., Paulsen, A., Robinault, K. & von Aufschnaiter, S.: 1998, ‘Teachers' Objectives For Labwork. Research Tool and Cross Country Results’, European Commission Targeted Socio-Economic Research Programme Project PL 95-2005 Labwork in Science Education, Working Paper 6, University of Bremen. http://www.physik.uni-bremen.de/physics.education/niedderer/projects/labwork/index.html

  • Woolnough, B.E.: 1998, ‘Authentic Science in Schools, to Develop Personal Knowledge’, in J. Wellington (ed.), Practical Work in School Science, Which Way Now?, Routledge, pp. 109-125.

  • Woolnough, B.E.: 1999, ‘School Science — Real Science? Personal Knowledge, Authentic Science And Student Research Projects’, in M. Bandiera, S. Caravita, E. Torracca and M. Vicentini (eds.), Research in Science Education in Europe, Kluwer Academic Publisher, pp. 245-251.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hirvonen, P.E., Viiri, J. Physics Student Teachers' Ideas about the Objectives of Practical Work. Science & Education 11, 305–316 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1015216725459

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1015216725459

Keywords

Navigation