Lessons from AmericaA success story in high school physics education.Presented by Barbara McKinnon, JMSS

1. What is Modeling Instruction?

2. What is successful about Modeling Instruction?

3. What are the implications for the Australian curriculum?

Modeling Mechanics Curriculum

• Scientific Thinking• Constant Velocity• Constant Acceleration• Force causing change in velocity• Force as an interaction• Force diagrams and net force• Relationship between force and acceleration• Friction• 2D motion• Energy (storage and transfer via working, heating, radiating)• Circular motion• Impulsive forces (conservation of linear momentum)

Mechanics Modeling Workshops

90 hours of professional development consisting of• intensive immersion in the

mechanics modeling curriculum and pedagogy

• discussion of research literature

• building connections with the modeling teaching community

- Traditional instruction does not effectively address misconceptions

- For many students, traditional instruction is not successful in teaching conceptual understanding or scientific reasoning

Why is a new pedagogy needed?

What is modeling?Students actively engaged in

1.construction of a phenomenological model based upon their own observation and experimentation

2.deployment of the model in problem solving and testing

3.model breaking

What the students say about modeling

Essential Tools1. Multiple representations

2. Small whiteboards to facilitate presentation of ideas

3. Socratic questioning

OutcomesEffective scientific reasoners who have advanced problem solving skills.

How is this measured?

1. Performance on conceptual assessment instruments such as Force Concept Inventory

2. Results on conventional statewide tests.3. Retention of students in Science

Hestenes, D. 2000 Findings of the modeling workshop project (1994 – 2000). Final report submitted to the National Science Foundation

10000 students170 teachers

Hake, R. 1998 Interactive-engagement versus traditional methods: a six thousand student survey of mechanics test data for introductory physics courses. Am. J. Phys. 66(1) 64-71.

Hake, R. 1998 Interactive-engagement versus traditional methods: a six thousand student survey of mechanics test data for introductory physics courses. Am. J. Phys. 66(1) 64-71.

Is modeling only for Physics?

Modeling curricula have been written for• Chemistry• Biology• Humanities – English and History

Modeling is about creating multiple connections between the physical system and mental model.

Symbolic Representations

Physical System

Mental Model

Verbal

Algebraic

Diagrammatic

Graphical

Points to consider Modeling takes more time, can’t cover as

much curriculum.

The Physics First experience:• Students in Year 9 spend a year doing Physics using

modeling• Improves outcomes in Chemistry and Biology • Increases retention in Science

Don’t have to teach everything using modeling for procedural benefit to be retained.

Outcomes in the USAUsing a modeling approach find that

• Students are engaged• Students improve their reasoning through communication

of their scientific thinking and by debating with peers.• Students achieve a deeper conceptual understanding and

become better problem solvers• Students increase their learner confidence by building

their own conceptual framework.• Both girls and boys respond well to approach.

Modeling instruction is a demonstration of the power of teaching informed by education research.

• Modeling has been found to be most successfully delivered when teacher has attended a three week workshop.

• Whiteboard discussions best suited to groups of 15-24

The essence of modeling

Recommended reading: Etkina, Warren and Gentile “The Role of models in Physics Instruction” The Physics Teacher 44 2006 pp34-39

1. Models are simplifications of an object or process2. Models can be descriptive or explanatory3. A model must have predictive power4. The predictive power of the model has limitations

My goals

• Implement modeling fundamentals in teaching practice

• Evaluate teaching of mechanics in Physics at JMSS using the Force Concept Inventory

• Learn more about the application of the modeling method to other areas of Physics and the other sciences.

• Build a modeling community in Australia

Other Australian modelers

• George Przywolnik School Curriculum and Standards Authority WA

STA John de Laeter medal winner 2007

• Kenneth Silburn Head of Science, Casula HS, NSW

National Award for Teaching: Excellence in Teacher Leadership (2009)Australian Academy of Science Teaching Award (2010)Prime Minister’s Commendation for Excellence in Science Teaching (2010).

Where to find out more about modeling:• American Modeling Teachers’ Association

http://modelinginstruction.org/• Mark Schober “What is Modeling”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDgulnEVE10&feature=related

• Mark Schober’s webpage http://modelingphysics.org/• Arizona State University Modeling website:

http://modeling.asu.edu/modeling-HS.html• Success stories from teaching Physics using modeling

to American 9th graders http://home.comcast.net/~physicsfirst/site/

Barbara McKinnon would like to acknowledge • the generosity of her school, the John Monash

Science School in awarding her the first JMSS staff fellowship,

• Boeing for subsidising the cost of the accommodation during the three week workshop, and

• the American Modeling Teachers’ Association for allowing her to participate in the workshop.