The Effective Role of Practical Work & Theoretical Work in Teaching and Learning Physics at Graduate Level

Abstract

This qualitative study focused on college level physics teachers in India using semi-structured interviews and observations to explore their understanding about the relationship between practical works and theoretical work developing students‟ conceptual knowledge of physics. Recent studies indicate that practical work helps college science students easily and effectively learn the concepts and theories of physics. However, the college physics teachers in India in this study did not provide students with practical work during classroom teaching. Rather, they provided practical work in separate practical classes. Although the teachers believed that practical work made their teaching and also students‟ learning easier and effective, they did not offer frequent practical demonstrations in teaching the contents of physics.