CONT953: Teaching Physics in Grades 11 and 12

Course Schedule

Course Description

Why do learners think that physics is hard? How does this affect students’ willingness to take a physics course? Can you think of learning and teaching strategies that might dispel this stigma?

Imagine a safe space where students and teachers work to identify and mitigate roadblocks to learning physics before, during, and after a physics course. Problem solving in physics is an immersion in a world where not knowing what to do is commonplace, even expected. This feeling needs to be anticipated and accepted as a norm before comfortable learning of physics can occur.

In this course, you’ll have opportunities to explore ways to create a physics program for Grades 11 and 12 students that is accessible by a broad cross section of the school population. You will consider challenges students face when introduced to a physics course. You’ll reflect on preconceived notions about teacher and student expectations in the physics classroom. You will then design a first unit of study for Physics 11 to help students feel more optimistic about their chances for success in the program.

What You Will Learn and Do

In this course you'll have the opportunity to

• develop strategies for learning about your students and their prior knowledge before teaching them
• learn about the importance of language in physics and problem solving
• explore ideologies around life-long learning for both students and teachers
• learn ways to create a learning environment that emphasizes intrinsic motivation to learn
• examine the application and purpose of assessment and evaluation in the classroom
• create a teaching philosophy that addresses students' fear of failure and promotes confidence while considering equitable, diverse, inclusive, and accessible (EDIA) learning environments

Application Requirements

Courses and Post-Graduate Certificates are approved by TQS for Category Upgrade. If you would like these courses to be used towards Category Upgrading, you must have a valid BC Teacher Certificate.

ECEs, EAs, and other education professionals are welcome to take the courses without Certification.

Course Materials

Accommodations

Applicants who require accommodations for a specific learning need (e.g., learning disability) within their AQ/ABQ course, should click here for further information and support.

Have a question? Contact us!

Refund Schedule

If you drop a course:

1. by the midpoint of the course, you will receive 100% of your course fee.
2. after the midpoint, before the end of the course, you will receive 50% of your course fee.

For more about our refund policies, visit our Fees & Refunds page.