The 21st-Century Physics Classroom: What Students, Teachers, and Classroom Observers Report

• In Event: Poster Session 6
  In Poster Session: STEM Teaching and Learning

Abstract

Before we can effectively apply specific solutions through professional development, it is important to determine what is occurring in our high school physics classrooms. The purpose of this presentation is to discuss findings on common professional practices in physics teaching among representative sample group of schools and teachers from a diverse, geographically large population. The findings address important variables related to who is teaching physics, what physics teaching is occurring, and what impact physics is having on students. An adaptation of a convergent parallel design was utilized in this descriptive study. Three separate parallel studies were conducted to answer the overarching research question, What is the nature of the secondary physics classroom in our high schools as they exist today?

Authors

• Dennis Sunal, The University of Alabama

• John A. Dantzler, The University of Alabama

• Cynthia S. Sunal, The University of Alabama

• Donna Patrice Turner, The University of Alabama - Tuscaloosa

• Marsha Emelene Simon, University of West Georgia

• James Wl Harrell