2016/17 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

PHYS5440M Advanced Physics in Schools

15 creditsClass Size: 5

Module manager: Dr A M Voice
Email: A.M.Voice@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2016/17

Pre-requisite qualifications

NOTE: All candidates will be required to complete a Police DBS check to assure their suitability to work in a school environment. Please speak to the Module Leader first if you wish to enrol on this module as places are very limited

This module is mutually exclusive with

PHYS3605

Physics in Schools

This module is not approved as an Elective

Objectives

At the end of the module, students should be able to:
- plan and organise a physics-related activity in a secondary school;
- collate information and create a well-reasoned, critical analysis of their work in a final report;
- defend their choice of approach to the teaching of specific concept(s) in physics at school level.
- produce a demonstration that illustrates some research in the School of Physics and Astronomy, at a level that can be understood by 6th Form school pupils.

Learning outcomes
1. Plan, deliver and critically evaluate physics related educational activities for secondary school pupils. REPORT
2. Identify any problems as they occur and justify the solutions found. REPORT/LOG
3. Articulate and critically evaluate the skills they have developed via the placement in the context of current issues within secondary education. LOG
4. Communicate complex ideas, the rationale for their chosen methods, and conclusions of their work to both specialist and non-specialist audiences. REPORT / ORAL / DEMO
5. Manage the running of their own placement, showing self-direction and originality, negotiating with university staff and school teachers to accommodate the requirements of all stakeholders. LOG/ TEACHER
6. Have a critical awareness of current issues and problems within secondary education , and physics teaching in particular, and comment on how these impact pupil learning. Communicate this in a well referenced review, summarising conclusions and possible solutions. LIT REV

Skills outcomes
Develop teaching materials.
Develop a demonstration to explain a research topic.
Present material in a way to engage secondary school pupils.
Time management.

Syllabus

We envisage that students taking this module:

- will be placed within a local secondary school/6th form college with a specific remit to help organise Physics activities within the school/6th form college, e.g. through science lessons or science clubs or, if desired to help school teachers establish such clubs.

- will, during their time with pupils in school, organise Physics-based project(s) with the aim of promoting the excitement of Physics.

- will consider the wider literature and issues facing Physics teaching.

The specifics for each student will be decided in consultation between the student, host school teacher and the academic module leader.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Workshop	2	2.00	4.00
Work-based mentoring	2	1.00	2.00
Meetings	1	1.00	1.00
Private study hours			143.00
Total Contact hours			7.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

Preparation of teaching materials and writing report: 70 hours;
Working in school: 30 hours;
Reflective log and preparation of summary and oral: 18 hours.
Research and assembly of demonstration: 25 hours.
There is no reading list for the module- students need to find their own resources.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Regular progress meetings within the school to be arranged between the student and the school teacher(s).
Regular formal and informal meetings with an Academic supervisor.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Report	2,000-3,000 written report - to describe in detail and critically analyse their project in school (include portfolio of teaching materials used)	30.00
Oral Presentation	To supervisors and others describing aims, approach, methods, results, conclusions, highlights and shortcomings	15.00
Reflective log	Learning Log summary -1,000 words, summarising skills developed during module, critically reflecting on experiences	15.00
Teaching Skills	Staff assessment of how well student has succeeded in achieving original aims, and general development during performance of duties	10.00
Presentation	To produce a demonstration that explains a university-level research topic to be understood by 6th form students, and to be left to the School of P&A. Assessment to be for the quality of the demonstration and the oral presentation that explains it. Assessed by Physics in Schools module team and at least one person from the relevant research group. Students can suggest their own demonstration project provided they can secure a member of staff to supervise the work.	15.00
Literature Review	1,000 words. Well referenced review of current literature and media on national issues in Physics teaching	15.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

There is no reading list for this module

Last updated: 27/04/2016

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