In this study, the impacts of teaching modern physics topics according to textbooks that are prepared based on two different physics curricula implemented in Turkey on students' success, problem-solving skills, and attitudes were examined. The sample of the study consisted of 80 high school students studying in the 12th grade. Within the scope of…

When different disciplines that physics lesson is related are examined, it is seen that mathematics becomes prominent as one of the most used fields. Physics textbooks are the most significant resources to clarify this relationship. Therefore, in this study, it is aimed to analyze the involvement of mathematical knowledge in physics textbooks used…

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of a model-based introductory physics curriculum on conceptual learning in a Physics First (PF) Initiative. This is the first comparative study in physics education that applies the Rasch modeling approach to examine the effects of a model-based curriculum program combined with PF in the United…

We describe our experience in guiding a physics laboratory in the eleventh grade of a high school, in which regular laboratory classes are replaced by an experimental project carried out throughout the year. Some didactic suggestions and hints are given for those wishing to adopt such an undertaking. Outlines are given for a few of the recent…

Describes how the Ontario Section of the American Association of Physics Teachers started a "Grade Eleven Prize Physics Contest" to generate interest in physics and recognize outstanding students. Also describes outcomes of contests, adaptation of the contest by Southeastern Pennsylvania Section, and suggestions for others wanting to…

Investigated what physics students (N=38) recalled from reading text material related to energy transfer. Four different groups of students, each recalling different sets of propositions, were identified suggesting that science educators cannot assume that all students in a class will recall identical information from the assignment of a reading…

Research in the form of a case study explores the factors that influenced physics enrollment in year 11 of a group of students taught over three consecutive years, from year 8 to year 10 in a New South Wales country school. The findings reveal that students who enjoyed their learning experiences in junior science and achieved good results in…

This study examined the problem-solving protocols of 21 students in a grade 11 enriched physics course as well as 3 adult "experts" in physics. Experts and high performing students made more correct metastatements and more references to prior knowledge than did average performing students. (DB)

Research in science and mathematics education has indicated that students often use inappropriate models for solving problems because they tend to mentally represent a problem according to surface features instead of referring to scientific concepts and features. The objective of the study reported in this paper was to determine whether 34 Israeli…

Two instructional programs with differing emphases on linking to existing knowledge and experience were used to present elementary dynamics to physics (N=67). Effects on aspects of cognitive structure and performance were investigated. Propositions elicited by a modified word-association technique were used to assess linking in cognitive structure…

Principles of Technology was designed as a high school course in applied science for vocational students in the 11th and 12th grades in Leander, Texas. It consists of a 2-year curriculum covering 14 units in applied physics: (1) force; (2) work; (3) rate; (4) resistance; (5) energy; (6) power; (7) force transformers; (8) momentum; (9) waves and…

The purpose of this study was to explore how the needs, actions, and beliefs of teacher and students interact with the constraints of the classroom and the curriculum to establish an atmosphere conducive to effective learning of physics in grade 11. An interpretive research methodology was used to investigate the students' and teachers' needs,…

Presents a case study of how one 11th-grader learned the meaning of the velocity sign. Her learning was not just an acknowledgment of a rule but also a broad questioning and revision of her thinking about graphs and motion. (16 references) (Author/MKR)

Discusses a study designed to understand 11th-grade students' learning during conversations with their teacher over and about a computer-based Newtonian microworld, Interactive Physics. Illustrates that students' learning was not local but persistent, in that they used appropriate canonical science talk without teacher support. (36 references)…

Discusses xyZET, a simulation program that allows 3D-space in numerous experiments in basic mechanics and electricity and was developed to support physics teaching. Tests course material for 11th grade at German high schools under classroom conditions and reports on their stability and effectiveness. (Contains 15 references.) (Author/YDS)