The Teaching of Physics

Module Code

Title

Module Category

No. of AUs

Pre-requisites

PCP511

Teaching of Physics I

Core

2

-

PCP512

Teaching of Physics II

Core

4

-

PCP513

Teaching of Physics III

Core

2

-

PCP514*

Mechanics, Waves and Laboratory Physics

Core

3

-

PCP515*

Optics, Electricity and Magnetism, and Modern Physics

Core

3

-

*CS Physics trainee teachers with only ‘O’ or ‘A’ level in Physics and have not taken foundation modules in Physics at university level are required to offer these two enrichment modules in Physics. These modules comprise e-based lectures, tutorials, laboratory work and tests.

PCP511    Teaching of Physics I

An understanding of school pupils: individual differences in learning, diagnosis, and strategies to deal with different ability groups as represented in the Gifted, Express, Normal (Academic) and Normal (Technical) Streams. Dealing with critical incidents.  Lectures on showmanship, creativity, thinking, inquiry, telling and explaining.

 

PCP512    Teaching of Physics II

Comparing the present Physics curriculum with Physics curricula developed and implemented in other countries.  The planning of physics lessons for maximum impact, the syllabus, curriculum materials and teaching strategies for pupils of different abilities.  Remedial and enrichment programmes; research-based findings concerning alternative conceptions, difficulties and problems in various physics topics.  Various approaches that facilitate the teaching, learning of physics: discover-inquiry learning, learning cycle, use of worksheets and discussions, individualised instruction, computer-assisted learning and classroom demonstrations.  Infusion of the three initiatives namely, IT, Thinking skills and National Education into the teaching of physics.

 

PCP513   Teaching of Physics III

Two important areas of Physics teaching, that of resource management and evaluation.  Resources available to the classroom teacher, both within and outside the school.  Safety in science laboratories, the role of practical work and its importance as an integral aspect of physics education.  Evaluation and feedback on teaching efforts. Lectures on the setting, marking and analysing of examination papers for feedback to pupils.


PCP514   Mechanics, Waves and Laboratory Physics

This module provides students with physical principles of mechanics, Newton’s laws of motion, circular motion and conservation of momentum, elastic and inelastic collisions and mechanical energy. It also covers rotational motion, oscillations, waves and sound, simple harmonic motion, and modes of vibration including sound waves.

 

PCP515    Optics, Electricity and Magnetism, and Modern Physics

This module will introduce the concepts of reflection and refraction at plane surface; refraction at spherical surface; interference and diffraction; temperature, pressure and ideal gas law; temperature and heat; heat transfer; kinetic theory; electric field and potential; capacitor and capacitance; circuit analysis; magnetic field; electromagnetic phenomena; electromagnetic induction; atom; nucleus; radioactivity and nuclear energy.