TY - JOUR
T1 - Definitions of physical concepts
T2 - A study of physics teachers’ knowledge and views
AU - Galili, Igal
AU - Lehavi, Yaron
PY - 2006
Y1 - 2006
N2 - A study was made of the ability of a population of high-school physics teachers to define physics concepts and of their views regarding the importance of such definitions. It was found possible to arrange the definitions accumulated in categories, and the classification so obtained was consonant with that of the philosophy of science. Although the subjects of this study were experienced teachers, the definitions they supplied exhibited shortcomings. Despite this, however, the teachers attached great importance to a knowledge of concept definitions. The implications of these findings in connection with the ongoing debate regarding the importance of concept definitions in science education are discussed. The high educational value of concept definitions is argued and a deficiency in this knowledge points to the shortcoming in teacher training.
AB - A study was made of the ability of a population of high-school physics teachers to define physics concepts and of their views regarding the importance of such definitions. It was found possible to arrange the definitions accumulated in categories, and the classification so obtained was consonant with that of the philosophy of science. Although the subjects of this study were experienced teachers, the definitions they supplied exhibited shortcomings. Despite this, however, the teachers attached great importance to a knowledge of concept definitions. The implications of these findings in connection with the ongoing debate regarding the importance of concept definitions in science education are discussed. The high educational value of concept definitions is argued and a deficiency in this knowledge points to the shortcoming in teacher training.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33645128014&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/09500690500338847
DO - 10.1080/09500690500338847
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AN - SCOPUS:33645128014
SN - 0950-0693
VL - 28
SP - 521
EP - 541
JO - International Journal of Science Education
JF - International Journal of Science Education
IS - 5
ER -