Thesis
Indicators of senior physics enrolment
University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Master of Education by Research, University of the Sunshine Coast
2011
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25907/00409
Abstract
Through a mixed methods approach, the research quantifies and qualifies the complexities that constitute a student‟s perception of physics and determines if these perceptions influence a student‟s subject choice. The study reported in this thesis was undertaken to compare the number of Sunshine Coast senior physics enrolments within the context of what is occurring to the number of Queensland and Australian senior physics enrolments. Investigation of Queensland and Sunshine Coast physics enrolments emphasise not only declining enrolments, but more importantly, the increasing number of Year 12 physics students who are failing to complete the senior physics course. Analysis showed a correlation not only between a student perceiving that „physics is useful for the future‟ and selecting senior physics, but also between a student perceiving a physics career as ‗interesting' and selecting senior physics. Students have confirmed that the science teacher is the major contributor to the development of these perceptions. There is also a significant difference between male and female student perceptions of physics. A logistic regression analysis used to identify factors that impact on a student selecting senior physics revealed that „confidence level in describing physics concepts' is the most important. This study and recommended strategies address the support required for science and physics teachers to deliver an effective awareness of physics and physics-related careers to inform the negative perceptions of physics which have contributed to declining senior physics enrolments. This study is of crucial importance, not only in relation to the future of senior physics in a secondary educational setting, but also to the wider context of preparing and developing skilled employees for an increasingly technological and „physics-reliant‟ world.
Details
- Title
- Indicators of senior physics enrolment
- Authors
- Paul Evans
- Contributors
- Kathryn Lynch (Supervisor)
- Awarding institution
- University of the Sunshine Coast
- Degree awarded
- Master of Education by Research
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- DOI
- 10.25907/00409
- Organisation Unit
- School of Education - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99450005902621
- Output Type
- Thesis
- Research Statement
- false
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