What does it mean to teach Physics?

When:  Thursday, 24^th January 2019

Where:  Robert Hooke Seminar Room

Speaker: Professor Peter Main, King’s College London 

Hosted by:  Jimena Gorfinkiel

Abstract:

In general, subjects and disciplines are usually described by the content under study. I will argue that this is not really appropriate in the case of Physics and will examine what it really does mean to teach Physics. I will consider possible "big ideas", key competences. I will also look at A-level assessments and show how they have changed over time in the context of these ideas and assessments. Finally, I shall describe a project to produce a Physics Glossary, which attempts to provide definitions of physical quantitates, the progress of which has led to questions of what we mean by a definition of this type.