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Labs in Building a Modern Physics Way of Thinking

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The Role of Laboratory Work in Improving Physics Teaching and Learning

Abstract

Teaching modern physics in secondary schools is a challenge, but one that must be met if we are to develop a culture for future generations in which physics is integrated rather than marginalised and which will equip students with analytical skills that can be applied in all areas of their lives, including social dimensions. Conceptual knots in classical physics are often quoted to argue for the exclusion of modern physics in secondary schools, but the physics of the last century is now part of the secondary school curricula in many EU countries and in the last 10 years appears in secondary textbooks, even if the approach is predominantly narrative. A wide discussion on goals, rationale, contents, instruments and methods for its introduction in secondary school curricula is now increasing. In the theoretical framework of the Model of Educational Reconstruction, the Physics Education Research Group of the University of Udine (UPERG) developed research based educational proposals based on an active role of students. Different kinds of Lab work are integrated in the research based proposals. These are chosen to offer an idea of the differentiated perspective of the work of physicists in modern physics and an epistemological reflection. Associated physics education research is focused on contributing to practice, developing vertical coherent content related learning proposals by means of Design Based Research (DBR, Educational Researchers 32(1):5–8, 2003) to produce learning progression (Duschl et al., Studies in Science Education 47(2):123–182, 2011) and finding ways to offer opportunities for understanding what physics is and practical experience, of what it deals with and how it operates. The strategies of Lab work assume a formative role in their integration in the context of the different proposals.

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  1. Physics Education Research Unit, University of Udine, Udine, Italy

    Marisa Michelini

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  1. Marisa Michelini
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Correspondence to Marisa Michelini .

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  1. Smoluchowski Institute of Physics, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland

    Dagmara Sokołowska

  2. DCFA - Section of Mathematics and Physics, University of Udine, Udine, Italy

    Marisa Michelini

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Michelini, M. (2018). Labs in Building a Modern Physics Way of Thinking. In: Sokołowska, D., Michelini, M. (eds) The Role of Laboratory Work in Improving Physics Teaching and Learning. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-96184-2_2

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