Physics: The Greatest Story That Can't Be Told

As teachers we cannot simply tell the story of physics and expect students to "get it". Physics students must construct their own knowledge and relive the story of physics for themselves in order to build real understanding. Join Chris Meyer and Dave Doucette as they share their techniques for helping students do exactly that. In this workshop you will experience a day in Chris's reformed physics classroom - a lecture-free, group working hive of activity - as you tackle the topic of circular motion. Dave will lend his expertise in psychology and brain-based learning to help adapt your teaching to the way real brains actually work. You will leave this workshop with all the materials you need to begin reformed physics teaching the Monday you return to school!

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.

Chris Meyer completed a Specialist Degree in Physics at the University of Toronto, but didn’t really get this physics stuff until he began teaching. From his experiences “teaching” physics at A. Y. Jackson (North York), the Ontario Science Centre, Rosedale Heights (Toronto) and now York Mills C. I. (North York) he came to realize that the teaching techniques he was raised with were not adequate. After attending a lecture by Edward Redish at the University of Toronto, and becoming acquainted for the first time with Physics Education Research, things began to change. Now Chris gives presentations across southern Ontario encouraging teachers to stop teaching.