Multimodality and New Materialism in Science Learning: Exploring Insights from an Introductory Physics Lesson

Science disciplines are inherently multimodal, involving written and spoken language, bodily gestures, symbols, diagrams, sketches, simulation and mathematical formalism. Studies have shown that explicit multimodal teaching approaches foster enhanced access to science disciplines. We examine multimodal classroom practices in a physics extended curriculum programme (ECP) through the lens of new materialism. As De Freitas and Sinclair note in their book, Mathematics and the Body, there is growing research interest in embodiment in mathematics (and science) education—that is, the role played by students’ bodies, in terms of gestures, verbalisation, diagrams and their relation to the physical objects with which they interact. Embodiment can be viewed from a range of theoretical perspectives (for example, cognitive, phenomemological, or social semiotic). However, they argue that their new materialist approach, which they term “inclusive materialism”, has the potential for framing more socially just pedagogies. In this article, we discuss a multimodal and new materialist analysis of a lesson vignette from a first-year extended curriculum physics course. The analysis illuminates how an assemblage of bodily-paced steps-gestures-diagrams becomes entangled with mathematical concepts. Here, concepts arise through the interplay of modes of diagrams, gestures and bodily movements. The article explores how multimodal and new materialist perspectives might contribute to reconfiguring pedagogical practices in extended curriculum programmes in physics and mathematics.

Problem solving in the physics classroom. An analysis with secondary school students

The teaching of science, and specifically physics, has been associated with the acquisition of knowledge with a particular emphasis on problem solving, as an activity that brings students closer to the methodology and meaningful learning of science. However, problem solving is perhaps one of the sources of failure in physics teaching, which requires a careful analysis of this didactic activity. Therefore, the aim of this work is to analyze the development of students’ problem-solving skills in a physics course. An analysis is presented using the quasi-experimental method through the application of a pre-test – post-test, for which a methodological intervention was used based on the problem-solving competence, which focused on identifying errors and difficulties by the students themselves and thus favoring the learning and development of this competence, which allowed the academic progress of the students to be analyzed. It is concluded that the intervention supported by problem solving improves students’ performance, in addition to the positive assessment they make of the process, as well as its influence on the change in pedagogical practice.

Inquiry-based learning. Beliefs of trainee teachers in a physics course

The teaching of physics should be supported by practical or laboratory activities that seek to develop the scientific competencies of the students who study physics, so it is necessary to propose innovative strategies, such as research-based learning, in which students answer research questions through the analysis of data, which increases the interaction between the student and the physical concepts under investigation. Therefore, the objective of the study was to analyze the beliefs of teachers in natural science training at a public university in Colombia who take the subject of physics on research-based learning, to provide information on how to guide the use of innovative strategies. The study responds to a type of quantitative research with a descriptive approach and was based on a field design. On the other hand, the results reflect slightly positive beliefs of students in initial teacher training who study physics about research-based learning as an innovative strategy, although it is recommended to expand the sample to generalize. Finally, the analysis reveals as a conclusion that the implementation of innovative methodologies such as inquiry-based learning for science teaching, especially physics, should be promoted and supported more effectively to foster motivation, skills development, and conceptual understanding. of the scientific contents.

Impact of a science and technology strategy on the learning of physics

The use of smartphones and some applications for educational purposes are valuable tools in the laboratory since they are motivating for students and the teacher can take advantage of this advantage for the teaching of physics. The experience is based on the anthropological theory of didactics and the teaching approach in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It is proposed to investigate a trigger question in physics. To respond, an application is used that uses the smartphone’s sensors to record the simulation data. The experience is described, and results of its implementation are presented. Methodologically, a qualitative descriptive approach was used in a group of tenth grade students taking the physics course. Finally, it is concluded that the students felt motivated since they felt they participated in the construction of their own learning, supported using technologies that facilitate the integration of knowledge in physics.

Online versus face-to-face learning in introductory university physics following COVID-19

The use of technology in higher education science classrooms rose significantly in the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic. In many universities, academic programs including introductory physics classes were taken online. Some institutions adopted online learning but also maintained face-to-face (F2F) laboratories when COVID-19 restrictions began to ease. Here, the effectiveness of the online learning approach in comparison with F2F learning is explored. The percentage difference in performance for students who took the online introductory physics course, Physics for Scientists and Engineers, versus that of students simultaneously taking the same course F2F is reported. This is done both across different sections taught by different instructors, and for the same course taught online versus F2F by the same professor. Furthermore, a short survey was conducted to assess the student learning experience and opinion about online and F2F learning. The results show equal or better overall performance for online learning with 4.2% higher performance when comparing results across different sections taught by different instructors. A similar 6.1% performance improvement was seen when comparing results across different sections taught by the same instructor. In contrast with the performance outcomes, the survey results indicate that about 72% of students prefer F2F compared to online learning. The findings provide a useful reference as many institutions and programs transition back to more standard F2F or hybrid learning modes. The benefits and drawbacks of each mode are discussed in the specific context of student preferences and challenges faced in online learning during COVID-19.

Pre-service Physics Teachers’ Beliefs about Learning Physics and Their Learning Achievement in Physics

This study investigates pre-service teachers’ beliefs about learning physics and explores how beliefs correlate with learning achievement as evidenced by conceptual understanding and grades in a year-long physics course. To investigate beliefs about learning physics, 14 second-year pre-service teachers in a teacher training program in South Korea completed a Likert-style questionnaire called the Beliefs About Learning Physics Survey (BAPS). To measure learning achievement, final grades for the physic course were obtained and the Force Concept Inventory (FCI) was used to assess conceptual understanding. Analysis revealed that pre-service physics teachers’ beliefs about learning physics had a positive correlation with conceptual understanding but not with motivational beliefs. Students’ grades in physics had a positive correlation with cognitive beliefs, regardless of changes in pre- and post-test responses. Implications about how to utilize pre-service physics teachers’ beliefs about learning physics as an epistemological resource for teaching and learning physics are discussed.

The Practice of Integrating Curriculum Ideology and Politics into University Physics Course Teaching Organically

In the process of cultivating high-quality applied talents in contemporary colleges and universities, any teacher should integrate curriculum ideology and politics into daily curriculum teaching. This is a task that every teacher must undertake. It is an inevitable requirement for the cultivation of high-quality talents with Chinese characteristics and socialism. It is an inevitable requirement for the cultivation of high-quality talents that meet the (outcome-based education) OBE concept and the needs of the country. Through years of organic integration of the ideological and political content of the curriculum into the teaching practice of college physics, the author has realized that this can not only achieve better teaching results, but also comprehensively improve the teachers' own education and teaching level. The author would like to take this opportunity to share some personal experiences with colleagues.