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Integrating History of Science in In‑service Physics Teacher Education: Impact on Teachers’ Practice

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Abstract

This study investigates whether graduate courses for in-service physics teacher professional development that combine the conceptual history of physics, physics content, and physics education research readings will result in the teachers using the history of science for their own classroom instruction. In a study conducted in the USA, teachers who took such courses reported that their instruction in the history of science resulted in their better understanding of student learning, and a better ability to include the history of physics in their teaching. Ten teachers were selected from the pool of teachers who had participated in the professional development to determine how the self-reported use of the history of science translated into the teachers’ classroom practice. The research questions addressed whether or not the teachers used the history of science in their practice, and if so, how and what obstacles the teachers perceived in using the history of science. The investigation found that all ten teachers used the history of science in their physics classes to better understand their students’ conceptions in physics, to teach about theory change, and to increase student interest. Eight also used history to better communicate physics concepts. All discussed impediments they perceive to more use of history with their students. The professional development described may serve as a model for changing science teachers’ practice with respect to teaching with the history of science.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Yann Benétreau-Dupin for his comments on an early version of this work. We also thank the developers and instructors of the Improving the Teaching of Physics courses: Luciana Garbayo, Andrew Duffy, Tiffany Sikorsky, Manher Jariwala, Nicholas Gross, and Yann Benétreau-Dupin. We are also grateful to Bruce Fraser for his methodological guidance in conducting this study, and Christine Baron for her assistance in data analysis.

Funding

Support for the Improving Teaching of Physics project was provided from 2005 to 2010 by the Commonwealth of the State of Massachusetts (Grant CTRGT5NCLBBU200000000000) and the Massachusetts Regents (Grant CTRGTFY08BOSTONUNIVITQ08).

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  1. Charles Winrich

    Present address: Division of Mathematics and Sciences, Babson College, Babson Park, MA, 02457, USA

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  1. School of Education, Boston University, Two Silber Way, Boston, MA, 02215, USA

    Charles Winrich

  2. College of Education & Human Development, Boston University, Two Silber Way, Boston, MA, 02215, USA

    Peter Garik

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In accordance with Institutional Review Board (IRB) procedures, informed consent for participation was obtained from each teacher who participated in this study, and from the principal of each school the researcher visited.

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Winrich, C., Garik, P. Integrating History of Science in In‑service Physics Teacher Education: Impact on Teachers’ Practice. Sci & Educ 30, 1099–1130 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11191-021-00219-w

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