TPE DOMAIN A: LIT.

REVIEW

Teaching Performance Expectations

Domain A: Literature Review
Lorand Irinyi
National University

In partial fulfillment of the requirements for

TED690 - Capstone
Instructor: Professor Clifton Johnson
June 5, 2016

TPE DOMAIN A: LIT. REVIEW

Abstract
In this paper I will review an article expounding the importance of accessibility of high
school physics from the earliest exposure to the subject by high school physics students
in a larger segment of the student population than usually present in physics classrooms,
by providing experiences of success from the beginning and throughout the course by
providing a course format that is different from the traditional one.

TPE DOMAIN A: LIT. REVIEW

Teaching Performance Expectations
Domain A: Literature Review
My content material is physics, not a traditionally favorite of many students. This is due
to many factors, but this can be remedied by making it more accessible to a larger
segment of the student population than it usually is. Brekke (2009) asserts that If
properly taught, high school physics is accessible to all students, average and above, the
50% above the mean, not only the upper 20%. This is more than double of the usual
percentage of students in a course involving a substantial amount of algebra, some
trigonometry, and problem solving (Brekke, 2009). One must keep in mind that, the
prerequisites are the same for all students in order to be able to address the demands of a
class of this nature. The content cannot be changed. Physics is not open to changes, since
it is an interpretation and explanation of nature itself. But the course formats can be
changed presenting the same content material in order to make a course such as this
successful for the many, not only the few (Brekke, 2009). Results have shown that
marginal physics students became successful if given substantial amounts of immediate
feedback (Brekke, 2009). This is very important, because once students have
experienced success in solving problems from the earliest stages of their physics course,
research has shown that their chances at further success are greatly increased. Brekke
(2009) writes that, success has also been reported in required high school physics by
giving substantial help with problem solving in Chicago inner-city high school students
by the use of drill and practice with algebra and trigonometry. This is noteworthy
because the students mentioned are not traditionally viewed as successful physics
students.

TPE DOMAIN A: LIT. REVIEW

Making physics accessible to a larger number of students requires a change in
instruction methodology, too. Instruction should generally proceed from the concrete to
the abstract, not the other way around claims Brekke (2009). Physics teachers seem to
forget that most students do not have much experience with physics problem solving or
abstract physical concepts. Adolescents can only learn when subject matter is tangible or
concrete. Brekke (2009) also admonishes that Teachers should also remember that there
is a difference between inquiry and scientific inquiry and that a solid knowledge base is
required for any kind of meaningful thinking. This difference is not kept in the forefront
as much as it should be. Although student discovery must be encouraged and developed
in inquiry based educational methodology, it must be kept in mind that According to
educational research, it is the solving of the problem that leads to the confirmation ones
skill, a pleasurable consequence, not the struggling with it. Pleasurable consequences lead
to positive reinforcement and learning (Brekke, 2009). This cannot be done by giving
problems from books, but only by the teacher going around the room showing them how
to do a particular problem and then practicing on two or three more of the same type so
that they get the idea of how to do a particular physics problem (Brekke, 2009). Students
must be assured of success if they make an effort. In order for physics to be more
accessible to students , according to Brekke (2009) What high school physics needs is
better problem solving help and a more concrete approach to reach all students.

TPE DOMAIN A: LIT. REVIEW

References
Brekke, S (2009, July). Tips on Maximizing High School Physics Teaching. Teacher.net
Gazette, Vol 6 No 7. Retrieved from http://www.teachers.net/gazette/JUL09/brekke/