"Getting The HOTS* with Brain Research" *higher order thinking skills

"Explosive growth in brain-based research and neuroplasticity points the way to improved learning of physics. In this session, participants will experience classroom practices designed to selectively integrate brain centres of algebraic, linguistic, pictorial and graphical reasoning. Expert learners are able to do this naturally, the challenge is to move novice leaners much further along the continuum - and improve retention and enrollment in high-school physics classrooms. The surge in STEM education puts physics teachers plainly on the crest of a wave. These research-driven brain-based strategies will show us how best to ride it. Hop on board - surf's up!"

Dave, once an innocent cognitive psychologist and chemistry teacher, was seduced by the evil lore of the physics empire a long time ago…well, actually, they made me teach physics, but the empire story is a far better lead! Since I was conscripted to teach a foreign subject like physics (I avoided it like the plague in university), I thought it best to seek mentorship. Found it in an OISE library aisle – a book by Arnold Arons ‘An Introductory Guide to Physics Teaching’ – the seminal book on physics education research (PER). Arnold and generous colleagues like Doug Abe, guided Dave along a fascinating journey to the dark side of physics education – oops, there we go again. Bottom line, Dave’s a ‘born again physicist’ – got a passion for teaching physics that just won’t quit. And he’ s preached that passion in >150 teacher workshops and numerous articles. It’s a calling. Like a Jedi - without the shmarmy light-sabre.