The Concept of Observer in Science Teaching in Middle School: Pre-Instructional Knowledge as a Lever for Learning rather than an Obstacle

Ben Stein, Hana Stein, Igal Galili*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study deals with the concept of the observer in science education, which is currently significantly diminished at school. In the first part, we review the theoretical perspective of the concept, regarding its historical role in physics knowledge, cognitive aspects of learning and the relevant curricular situation. The second part of the study was devoted to the experiment, which included constructing new materials to facilitate interpretation of physical situations by inertial and non-inertial observers in teaching students in middle schools. The impact of the experimental teaching was assessed by an open questionnaire addressing content knowledge and affective perception of the new material. The significant positive results obtained testify to the feasibility of such innovative teaching. It has a strong advantage in comparison with the regular teaching in. The implication of the study could be significant changes which would upgrade school physics curricula. The explicit inclusion of the inertial forces—instead of banning them, as currently practised—maturates the physics knowledge of school students while resonating with their naive views on the subject.

Original languageEnglish
Article number95
JournalEducation Sciences
Volume13
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2023

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 by the authors.

Keywords

  • observer dependent concepts in middle school
  • pre-instructional knowledge
  • teaching inertial forces
  • the concept of observer in mechanics

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The Concept of Observer in Science Teaching in Middle School: Pre-Instructional Knowledge as a Lever for Learning rather than an Obstacle'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this