ERIC Number: EJ1112521
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015
Pages: 21
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1691-4147
EISSN: N/A
Using Analogies in Teaching Physics: A Study on Latvian Teachers' Views and Experience
Jonane, Lolita
Journal of Teacher Education for Sustainability, v17 n2 p53-73 2015
The role of analogies as tools for teaching difficult science concepts has been widely discussed in science education. The application of analogies in the context of sustainable education involves richer potential. The purposeful use of appropriate analogies can facilitate analogical thinking and transfer skills, as well as develop abilities which are required for life and lifelong learning, including successful integration into modern society and facility within our technology saturated world. Analogical thinking supports development of students' higher order thinking skills. The aim of this study was to identify Latvian physics teachers' views on the importance of analogies and the methodology of their usage in physics education, as well as to discover innovative examples of analogies. The study involves both quantitative and qualitative methodology: survey of 35 secondary school physics teachers and group interviews with 18 experienced physics teachers. The findings reveal that, in general, now and then Latvian physics teachers use analogies in their pedagogical practice, although they are mostly simplistic and with illustrative character. Some teachers use analogies in order to help students build new knowledge through activating, transferring, and applying existing knowledge and skills in unfamiliar situations.
Descriptors: Teaching Methods, Physics, Science Education, Figurative Language, Foreign Countries, Scientific Concepts, Secondary School Teachers, Interviews, Thinking Skills, Lifelong Learning, Statistical Analysis, Qualitative Research, Teacher Attitudes, Transfer of Training, Questionnaires, Content Analysis
UNESCO Chair on Interplay of Tradition and Innovation in ESD. Parades 1-220, Daugavpils University, Daugavplis LV-5401, Latvia. Tel: 371-6542-5452; Fax: 371-6542-2890; e-mail: unescochair@du.lv; Web site: http://www.du.lv
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Latvia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A