28 June 2015 to 3 July 2015
Africa/Johannesburg timezone
SAIP2015 Proceeding published on 17 July 2016

Exploring teachers’ baseline knowledge of mechanics

1 Jul 2015, 14:00
20m
Oral Presentation Track E - Physics Education Edu

Speaker

Dr Sam Ramaila (University of Johannesburg)

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Abstract content <br> &nbsp; (Max 300 words)<br><a href="http://events.saip.org.za/getFile.py/access?resId=0&materialId=0&confId=34" target="_blank">Formatting &<br>Special chars</a>

Mechanics is a vast conceptual area in introductory Physics at university and also at the high school level. Research on conceptual understanding shows that this is an area that is characterised by a myriad of alternative conceptions. Adequate conceptual foundation in mechanics is central to meaningful understanding of various knowledge areas in Physics as an intellectually stimulating discipline. In this regard, a diagnostic questionnaire was administered to teachers enrolled for a Short Learning Programme at a university to establish their baseline knowledge of mechanics. The findings of this research revealed teachers’ knowledge gaps and conceptual inadequacies associated with mechanics. The implications for teacher professional development are discussed.

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Primary author

Dr Sam Ramaila (University of Johannesburg)

Co-author

Prof. Umesh Ramnarain (University of Johannesburg)

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