The transition from Integrated Science to Physics : the initial experience of Form 3 students

Abstract

The main aim of the study was to investigate the students' views and experiences when changing from integrated science to physics and their initial Physics experience. Gender differences were also taken into consideration. Questionnaires were administered with 214, Form 3 Junior Lyceum students and results were then analysed quantitatively. Interviews were carried out with ten teachers to elicit more detailed information, which was then analysed qualitatively. Results from this study showed how the students' transition from integrated science to physics brought about a negative attitude and a significant loss in students' enthusiasm and interest towards science. This was mainly found to be due to the difficulty associated with learning Physics and 'boring' Physics lessons. However no significant gender differences were found. Most of the students, especially girls, would have preferred to continue to study Integrated Science and wouldn't have chosen Physics if it was an optional subject. From a more positive perspective, students saw the study of Physics as useful for their life and were mostly engaged and excited about practical work and some particular interesting topics. Teachers feel that the Form 3 syllabus is overstuffed and that students are still not mature enough to learn certain abstract topics. The students' performance in physics was also found to be affected by their performance in Mathematics. Finally the teacher and teaching methods used were found to be very important factors determining their initial experience.