4–8 Jul 2022
Faculty of Education, University of Ljubljana
Europe/Ljubljana timezone
Proceedings submission deadline extended to 31 January 2023

(V) The reasonable ineffectiveness of Physics in teaching: the example of Thomson’s atomic model

7 Jul 2022, 13:00
1h
Faculty of Education, University of Ljubljana

Faculty of Education, University of Ljubljana

Kardeljeva ploščad 16, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Poster Physics Curriculum Materials: Development, Implementation, and Assessment Poster session: CUR & INF & PTE

Speaker

Luisa Lovisetti (University of Milan, Department of Physics)

Description

Thomson's atomic model - as a name - is familiar to teachers and students. However, when asked about its structure, they usually only say that it is a “plum pudding” in which a positive charge is uniformly distributed and electrons are randomly arranged, not realising that it should rather be described by a precise mathematical model. The situation highlights how there is often a lack of critical mind in putting together previous knowledges in a coherent way. This proves a widespread ineffectiveness of physics education in creating the fundamental mental structures necessary to critically analyse what is taught and learned.

How would you like to present your contribution? Hybrid from my own country (later in the conference day, best for Americas ...)
Target education level (primary) In-service teacher education
Target education level (secondary, optional) Pre-service teacher education

Authors

Luisa Lovisetti (University of Milan, Department of Physics) Marco Giliberti (Università degli Studi di Milano)

Presentation materials