The Role of Laboratory Work in Improving Physics Teaching and Learning

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xi

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2. Background Aspects

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1

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   2. Empowering the Engines of Knowing and Creativity: Learning From Experiments

      • Manfred Euler

      Pages 3-14

   3. Labs in Building a Modern Physics Way of Thinking

      • Marisa Michelini

      Pages 15-33

   4. The Impact and Promise of Open-Source Computational Material for Physics Teaching

      • Wolfgang Christian

      Pages 35-48

   5. Research Validated Distance Learning Labs for Introductory Physics Using IOLab

      • David Sokoloff, Erik Bodegom, Erik Jensen

      Pages 49-59

   6. The Value of Solving Experimental Problems in Groups

      • David Sands

      Pages 61-69

   7. Formative Assessment in Physics Teaching and Learning

      • Nikos Papadouris, Costas P. Constantinou

      Pages 71-81

3. Experimental Lab

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 83-83

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   2. Integrating NOS in LAB Work

      • Claudia Haagen-Schützenhöfer

      Pages 85-94

   3. Open Inquiry Experiments in Physics Laboratory Courses

      • Jaap Buning, David Fokkema, Gerrit Kuik, Tabitha Dreef

      Pages 95-105

   4. Educational Lab on Optical Diffraction to Bridge from Classical to Modern Physics

      • Marisa Michelini, Daniele Buongiorno, Alberto Stefanel

      Pages 107-118

4. Lab Work and Multimedia

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 119-119

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   2. Computer Modelling in Physics Teaching

      • Veronika Timková, Zuzana Ješková

      Pages 121-130

   3. Introducing Preservice Science Teachers in the Development of Inquiry-Based Activities

      • Anastasios Molohidis, Euripides Hatzikraniotis

      Pages 131-143

   4. The Role of Information in Inquiry-Based Learning in a Remote Lab on Optical Spectrometry

      • Lars-Jochen Thoms, Raimund Girwidz

      Pages 145-157

   5. Web-Based Interactive Video Activities for Undergraduate Advanced Laboratories

      • Robert B. Teese, Keith R. Stein, Chad W. Hoyt, Nathan C. Lindquist, Sara A. Wyse

      Pages 159-167

   6. Smartphones as Measuring Instruments in the Physics Classroom: What Do Students Think?

      • Angela Oswald, Gerhard Rath, Claudia Haagen-Schützenhöfer

      Pages 169-174

5. Concepts and Lab

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 175-175

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   2. Addressing Some Common Difficulties in Teaching and Learning Energy in High School

      • Michele D’Anna

      Pages 177-190

This book explores in detail the role of laboratory work in physics teaching and learning. Compelling recent research work is presented on the value of experimentation in the learning process, with description of important research-based proposals on how to achieve improvements in both teaching and learning. The book comprises a rigorously chosen selection of papers from a conference organized by the International Research Group on Physics Teaching (GIREP), an organization that promotes enhancement of the quality of physics teaching and learning at all educational levels and in all contexts. The topics covered are wide ranging. Examples include the roles of open inquiry experiments and advanced lab experiments, the value of computer modeling in physics teaching, the use of web-based interactive video activities and smartphones in the lab, the effectiveness of low-cost experiments, and assessment for learning through experimentation. The presented research-based proposals will be of interest to all who seek to improve physics teaching and learning.

• Physics Education Research
• Teaching and Learning Physics
• Physics Teacher Education
• Physics Laboratory
• ICT in Physics
• Experimentation in physics education
• Modern Physics Education
• Assessment in Physics Teaching
• Concepts in Physics
• Inquiry-Based Learning
• Physics outreach
• computer modeling in physics teaching
• Lab experiments in physics

• Smoluchowski Institute of Physics, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland

  Dagmara Sokołowska

• DCFA - Section of Mathematics and Physics, University of Udine, Udine, Italy

  Marisa Michelini

Dagmara Sokolowska is an adjunct in the Faculty of Physics, Astronomy, and Applied Computer Sciences at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland. She obtained her PhD in physics of soft matter and still does research in that field, concentrating particularly on conductivity percolation of water networks in different materials. For the last 7 years she has been involved in research in physics and science education and in the development of didactic materials at all levels of education, from primary school to PhD level. She also conducts training for in-service teachers in science and physics, with emphasis on inquiry-based learning. Due to her interest in physics and science education, she has participated in five European projects, focusing especially on the implementation of inquiry-based learning and on European science curricula and their inclusion of inquiry-based  learning. In 2012 she received the Polish National Medal in Education. An NGO that she founded – Fundacja Akademia Młodych Odkrywców – organizes a national contest in science for primary schools that attracts more than 50,000 participants each year.

Marisa Michelini is full professor of physics education at Udine University, Italy, where she is Rector Delegate for Didactic Innovation and Head of the Research Unit in Physics Education (URDF). She is president of the International Research Group in Physics Education (GIREP), a committee member of Multimedia Physics Teaching and Learning (MPTL), director of the Italian University Consortium on Education and Guidance (GEO), a member of the Permanent Commission for Education of the Italian Physical Society, and an honorary member of the Italian Association for Physics Teaching (AIF). She founded the Center for Research in Education (CIRD), the Lab Center for Physics Education (CLDF), the Center for Guidance (CORT), and the Research Unit in Physics Education (URDF). Dr. Michelini is long-standing director of the national journalsLa Fisica nella Scuola and Università e Scuola. She has carried out various research projects at EU, national, and regional levels. She is a member of many editorial boards of physics education journals and has authored 660 publications in books and journals, including 257 in English at the international level.

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