An Educational Reconstruction of Special Relativity Theory for Secondary Education

Autor/inn/en	Kamphorst, Floor; Vollebregt, M. J.; Savelsbergh, E. R.; van Joolingen, W. R.
Titel	An Educational Reconstruction of Special Relativity Theory for Secondary Education
Quelle	In: Science & Education, 32 (2023) 1, S.57-100 (44 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Zusatzinformation	ORCID (Kamphorst, Floor) ORCID (Savelsbergh, E. R.) ORCID (van Joolingen, W. R.)
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0926-7220
DOI	10.1007/s11191-021-00283-2
Schlagwörter	Physics; Scientific Concepts; Secondary School Science; Science Education; Science Process Skills; Magnets; Science Instruction; Teaching Methods; Science Experiments; Science Activities; Light + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Physik; Naturwissenschaftliche Bildung; Stabmagnet; Teaching of science; Science education; Natural sciences Lessons; Naturwissenschaftlicher Unterricht; Teaching method; Lehrmethode; Unterrichtsmethode; Licht
Abstract	Einstein's derivation of special relativity theory (SRT), based on hypothetical reasoning and thought experiments, is regarded as a prime example of physics theory development. In secondary education, the introduction of SRT could provide a great opportunity for students to engage in physics theorizing, but this opportunity is largely being missed in current teaching practice. One reason could be that secondary students lack some knowledge of electromagnetism that was central to Einstein's argument. Therefore, we conducted an educational reconstruction to develop a teaching approach that would not rely on advanced understanding of electromagnetism, yet retain the modes of reasoning that were characteristic of Einstein's approach. In our reconstruction, we identified the light postulate, which is notoriously difficult for students to grasp, as a central concept. We developed a teaching and learning sequence in which students perform relativistic thought experiments and try different interpretations of the light postulate. Through these activities, students experienced how the new concepts meet the requirements for a good theory. Experimental evaluation of the teaching and learning sequence indicates that this can be a fruitful approach to introduce SRT to secondary students. (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01