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I Could Enjoy Teaching: The Case of Physics

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Abstract

There is a chronic international shortage of mathematics and science teachers, particularly physicists. The study reported here examines why physicists become teachers and why they stay in teaching. Physicists from seven preservice teacher training cohorts from three English universities were invited to answer an online survey with follow-up telephone interviews exploring their decisions to become teachers and the factors influencing their retention in the profession. Key to becoming teachers were pivotal experiences revealing teaching as a career they could enjoy. Analysis also showed a frequent lack of support and feelings of isolation for beginning physics teachers in schools.

Résumé

Sur le plan international, il y a une carence chronique d’enseignants de mathématiques et de sciences, en particulier en physique. L’étude résumée ici se penche sur les raisons pour lesquelles les étudiants diplômés en physique choisissent l’enseignement et pourquoi ils décident d’y rester. Des physiciens de sept cohortes de formation en enseignement, provenant de trois universités anglaises, ont été invités à répondre à une enquête en ligne suivie d’entrevues téléphoniques pour analyser leur décision de devenir enseignant ainsi que les facteurs ayant influencé leur choix de carrière. Parmi les facteurs déterminants figurent les expériences clés qui leur ont indiqué l’enseignement comme une profession qui pouvait leur plaire. L’analyse révèle également un manque de soutien et un sentiment d’isolement chez les nouveaux enseignants de physique à l’école.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Education, Oxford University, 15 Norham Gardens, Oxford, OX2 6PY, UK

    Judith Hillier

  2. Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK

    James de Winter

  3. Loughborough Design School, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK

    John Twidle

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  1. Judith Hillier
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  2. James de Winter
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Correspondence to Judith Hillier.

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Hillier, J., de Winter, J. & Twidle, J. I Could Enjoy Teaching: The Case of Physics. Can J Sci Math Techn 13, 287–302 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1080/14926156.2013.816392

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