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2025-2026 / ZENS0037-1

Teaching methodology for physics (part I)

Duration

18h Th

Number of credits

 Master of education, Section 5: Physics3 crédits 
 Master of education, Section 4: Physics3 crédits 

Lecturer

Pierre-Xavier Marique

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

This course offers a structured entry into subject-specific didactics of physics to support the design of effective lessons in upper-secondary education. It begins with a disciplinary diagnostic and guided reading of curricula and syllabi (including mathematics curricula to situate the tools available to pupils). Students work on lesson-planning methodology (formulation of objectives; constructive alignment Objectives-Activities-Assessment) and on analysing learning difficulties (conceptual difficulties, misconceptions, and techno-mathematical difficulties), as well as principles of conceptual change (coexistence, inhibition) informed by experiments, simulations, or video. Particular attention is paid to classroom experimentation, considering the possible roles of an experiment within a teaching sequence and its adaptation to context (class size, equipment, time). Finally, the use of digital tools (smartphone-based sensing; simulations) is envisaged where it provides clearly identifiable pedagogical added value.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

By the end of the unit, students will be able to:
* analyse a syllabus topic to identify objectives and prerequisites (disciplinary and mathematical);
* design a constructively aligned lesson (Objectives-Activities-Assessment) and justify design choices;
* identify likely conceptual difficulties, techno-mathematical difficulties, and misconceptions among pupils, and propose appropriate, well-argued didactic responses;
* script an experimental or simulation-based activity for a given classroom context.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Solid command of upper-secondary physics content.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Brief theoretical framings followed by workshops (work on conceptual difficulties and misconceptions; creation of diagnostic tools; case studies; design and trial of experiments, etc.). Structured debriefings and collective regulation organise feedback. Short guest contributions (teachers, inspectors, etc.) may be included subject to availability.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face course


Further information:

Face-to-face teaching (six 3-hour sessions in the first term). The timetable is available in the institutional Celcat agenda. Short asynchronous complements may be proposed via the university platform.

Course materials and recommended or required readings

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus


Further information:

Curricula (physics and mathematics); in-class handouts; core resources in physics education; a selection of scholarly articles; and tools/simulations used for didactic scripting.

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam AND oral exam

Written work / report

Out-of-session test(s)


Further information:

The exam is an in-person oral before a panel. The student presents the plan of a teaching sequence and, in particular, explains the context, objectives, relevant conceptual difficulties and misconceptions, and how these are taken into account in the sequence design. The student also presents a short segment of the sequence as a role-play.

Work placement(s)

None work placement

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

Contacts

Pierre-Xavier Marique 
pxmarique@uliege.be

Association of one or more MOOCs