PPT-Vicphysics.doc

Comments from Physics Consultation Forums organised by the Australian Institute of Physics (Vic Branch) Education Committee Fourteen forums were held around the state with over 140 teachers attending. These are the comments from small group discussions grouped by question. The comments tend to address more than one question at times. The questions were: Section Pages Rationale / Aims Is any aspect of physics education not mentioned? Will it encourage students to consider physics? Is the choice of words appropriate? 2 - 4 Organisation Do the three strands adequately cover what students should experience from a physics education? Can they be easily interwoven in the classroom? Are the ‘general capabilities’ manifest in the draft? 5 - 8 Science understanding strand For each of the 4 units: i) Quantity of Content Is there too much content, not enough, just right? Give examples of suggested changes ii) Level of Difficulty of Content Does the content allow challenge as well as provide access? iii) Selection of Content Any changes? If so, is there content that should have been included? Is there content that could or should be left out? Are there enough examples of 21st Century content and content linked to careers such as medical physics and engineering? Unit 1: 8 Unit 2: 13 Unit 3: 16 Unit 4: 17 General: 19 iv) Sequence of Content across the two years Are topics/concepts introduced in a logical sequence across the 4 units? 22 v) Scheduling of Content across the two years Are topics/concepts introduced when most students are at an appropriate development stage and have sufficient prior knowledge? Give examples 24 vi) Clarity of dot points For each of the 4 units Are the statements of content precise enough to determine what students should learn? Give examples where this is not the case. 25 Science Inquiry Skills Do the examples convey the desirable range of practical activities? If not, suggest additional examples. How extended should an extended ex