Reflection of light: a teaching and learning activity with primary school children

Paulo Varela; Cátia Abreu; Manuel F. M. Costa

doi:10.1117/12.2063840

22 August 2014 Reflection of light: a teaching and learning activity with primary school children

Paulo Varela, Cátia Abreu, Manuel F. M. Costa

Proceedings Volume 9286, Second International Conference on Applications of Optics and Photonics; 92862I (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2063840
Event: Second International Conference on Applications of Optics and Photonics, 2014, Aveiro, Portugal

Abstract

Light and its properties is a subject that strongly attracts children from very early ages. Inquiry-based science teaching although addressed in the curricula of various countries and suggested by some international organizations, continues to have a very low expression in the teaching practices of the majority of primary school teachers and preschool educators. In this sense, we have organized several continuing training courses in order to encourage these education professionals to promote this approach to science teaching in the classroom, with the children. As part of this training process, teachers and educators put into practice, with their students, the didactic knowledge they have developed, in order to become aware of the virtues of an inquiry-based approach to children's learning. Through the implementation of the "Reflection of Light" activity, in this article, we intend to analyze the process of teaching and learning promoted in a 3rd grade class by one of the teachers participating in the training courses. The analysis of the process reveals that the teacher in training carried out a successful didactic integration of the inquiry-based science teaching approach recommended for children. In turn, the children also developed a good understanding of the contents of the activity explored in the classroom.

Citation Download Citation

Paulo Varela, Cátia Abreu, and Manuel F. M. Costa "Reflection of light: a teaching and learning activity with primary school children", Proc. SPIE 9286, Second International Conference on Applications of Optics and Photonics, 92862I (22 August 2014); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2063840

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available