Place of physics in secondary education

Abstract

Scope of Study: During the last few years there has been an increasing awareness of the inadequacies of present-day teaching of physics in the American secondary school. The traditional physics course has been subjected to much criticism and concern has been expressed in many quarters over its deficiencies. The purpose of this report is to consider some of the criticisms which have been leveled at the teaching of physics at the high school level and some of the suggested means for its improvement. This has been done by surveying some of the literature which has been written in the last few years by prominent educators and scientists regarding this subject. The report covers briefly the history of physics teaching in the United States, a review of some statistics on the enrollment in high school physics and a discussion of the aims and objectives of physics teaching. The present status of physics teaching is evaluated with consideration of the physics teacher, the course content and methods of teaching. The work of the Physical Science Study Committee is reviewed and consideration is given to the use of the general physical science course.

Findings and Conclusions: The diversity of opinion encountered in reading current material seems to indicate that the problems are complex and that there is no simple solution to the problems facing high school physics courses. This report does not attempt to suggest any such solutions but concerns itself with apparent trends and some of the more commonly expressed ideas. Most critics seem to agree that there is need for a change in many aspects of the physics curriculum but specific suggestions on what these changes should be vary greatly. Surveys indicate that there has been a steady decrease in the percentage of high school students taking a course in physics. Most critics agree that the conventional physics course tries to cover too much material and chooses that material unwisely. The key to the problems probably lie with the physics teacher himself. There is a great need for improvement in the status and qualifications of the secondary school physics teacher. The Physical Science Study Committee has proposed an interesting and entirely new type of physics course which they hope will answer many of the needs of high school physics.