Research-Based Alternatives to Traditional Physics Teaching at University and College

Abstract

The instructional alternative approaches to the traditional lectures in physics education are a growing area of research and development for improving physics teaching. Physics education research (PER) proposes new teaching approaches in a gradual research-based evolutionary process aiming empirical development at iterative development. These approaches may study didactical transformations of scientific content, design of well-documented sequences of teaching activities and students’ learning progression monitored by various methods, produce evidence-based innovative products and so on. In this chapter, I introduce the context of the organization of the Round Table of GIREP Thematic Group Physics Education Research at University (GTG-PERU) developed in the 2nd Word Conference on Physics Education. I provide an overview of trends with regard to different interactive methodologies of instruction and analysis of students’ learning.