High school curriculum development
Translation and adaptation of selected units from the course "Visual Quantum Mechanics" developed by the Physics Education Research Group in Kansas State University.
Preparing texts and materials for elective units for physics majors (lasers, chaos). Using computerized networks (internet and intranet) for distance learning of these courses.
Development of modules for student activities in Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism and Optics.
Development of modules for inquiry learning in the context of "mini-projects".
Development of a new course on Light and Waves for 10th and 12th grades.
Development of physics programs for the Arab population.
Elaboration of the national physics syllabus and the matriculation examinations.
Preparation of materials for e-learning in mechanics and electricity that can be used in various models that integrate in-class and distance learning of physics.
Research, evaluation and planning
Collaboration with:
U. Ganiel
Research of problem-solving processes in high school physics.
Study of concept learning and misconceptions in high school physics.
Study of processes involved in integration of technology in physics learning.
Formative and summative evaluation of new courses.
Research and development of various strategies for integration of microcomputers in physics learning processes.
Investigation of learning processes and teaching methods in teacher training programs.
Study of long-term professional development of teachers and leader-teachers.
Application of microcomputers in physics teaching
Collaboration with:
U. Ganiel
Development of open environments for promoting physics reasoning and inquiry learning.
Developing custom made programs for specific learning activities within the physics curriculum.
Teacher development: National center for physics teachers
Collaboration with:
E. Bagno, U. Ganiel
In-service teacher training courses.
In-school projects for promoting the teaching of physics through the use of computers.
Long-term didactical courses introducing teachers to current research in physics education and its implications to the learning/teaching process.
Long-term frameworks for leader teachers: Three-year courses for basic training and forums for acting teacher-leaders.
Resource materials and frameworks for teacher development.
An annotated database of selected internet resources relevant to high school physics in Israel (in Hebrew).
One-day national conference and workshops for physics teachers in Israel.
A prize for outstanding teachers or teams of teachers (together with the physics department and the Amos de-Shalit fund).
Preparation of learning materials for 7-9 grade
Introduction to Science and Technology.
Vacuum and particles: The particulate model of matter.
About Fibers
Interactions, Forces and Motion
Scientific and Technological Communication.
Projects as Tools for Learning.
The Materials' Cycle in Earth's Crust.
The World of Water.
Computerized courses and resources for the teaching the topics of "Energy - a Multidisciplinary View", "Nutrition and Health", "Nature as a Model for Imitation - The Bionic Man".
Computer simulations for studying units dealing with "Systems".
A Computerized environment for analyzing videotapes of motion.
Computer programs accompanying the study of Earth-Sciences in grades 7-9.
Computer program accompanying the study of the "cell" as a longitudinal strand (with the Center of Educational Technology).
"The Golden Way" - A Navigational Tool for Project Based Learning in Science and Technology (with the Association for the Advancement of Science Education in the Upper Galillee).
In-service courses in science and technology for junior-high school teachers
Collaboration with:
Z. Scherz, I. Hopfeld, N. Orion, O. Kedem, Y. Ben-Hur
Design and implementation of 3-year courses for teachers.
Preparation of leading science and technology educators.
Conducting regional long term activities in several regional teacher centers.
Conducting in-service teacher courses for the Arabic population.
A National Teacher Center for Juniour High School Teachers (in collaboration with Tel Aviv University).
Collaboration with:
Z. Scherz, N. Orion, S. Rosenfeld, U. Ganiel
Research on teacher and teacher-leader development in science and technology.
Investigation of various instructional strategies for understanding central concepts in the science and technology syllabus for junior-high school, and development of learning and thinking skills.
Investigation of project based learning (PBL) focusing on learning styles and the integrated development of concepts and skills.
Investigation of longitudinal development of conceptual frameworks and learning capabilities.
Investigation of learning through the course "systematic inventive thinking".
