Perceptions, views and opinions of university students about physics learning during practical work at school

• Published in: European journal of physics Vol. 30; no. 5; pp. 1119 - 1129
• Main Authors: Sneddon, P H, Slaughter, K A, Reid, N
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bristol IOP Publishing 01.09.2009; Institute of Physics
• Subjects: Communication, education, history, and philosophy; Exact sciences and technology; General physics; Physics; Physics literature and publications; Surveys and tutorial papers, resource letters; Higher education; Physics
• ISSN: 0143-0807; 1361-6404
• DOI: 10.1088/0143-0807/30/5/018

The teaching of physics through practical experiments has long been an established practice. It forms a key component of teaching of that subject at both school and university levels. As such, students have strong views of this method of teaching. This paper reports on the view of undergraduate physics students in relation to their experiences of practical physics at school. 500 students across three Higher Education Institutions in the UK were surveyed to determine their perceptions, views and opinions in this area. This paper initially presents the overall views of the students, and then looks in more detail at the effect the different levels to which students took the subject at school affected those views. Specifically, students who took Advanced Higher versus Higher are compared, as well as those who took Advanced Higher versus A-level. Comparison was also made between the responses of female and male students. The general picture is very encouraging, with students broadly appreciating the practical side of physics.