Teaching in Our Physics Classrooms: What Students, Teachers, and Classroom Observers Report

• In Event: 49.088 - Roundtable Session 17
  In Roundtable Session: 49.088-10 - Physics Education: What Does It Look Like in Classroom Practice?

Abstract

What is happening in our science classrooms? The purpose of this study was to determine common teaching practices occurring in physics classrooms among a large representative sample group of schools and teachers from a diverse, geographically large population. Critical variables addressed were physics teacher preparation, teaching performance, and impact of these two variables on students from a statewide population. 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 it exists today?

Authors

• Dennis Sunal, The University of Alabama

• Cynthia S. Sunal, The University of Alabama

• John A. Dantzler, The University of Alabama

• Marsha Emelene Simon, University of West Georgia

• Michelle Marie Wooten, The University of Alabama

• James Wl Harrell

• Mohan D Aggarwal, Alabama A&M University

• Donna Patrice Turner, The University of Alabama - Tuscaloosa