Lights and shadows in Physics teaching. Contributions of an action research experience

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to find a teacher's concerns, difficulties and knowledge construction when he begins to be part of the field of science education research. Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) model and the Content Representation instrument (CoRe) offer a significant theoretical and methodological framework to carry out this kind of study using action-research perspective. Metacognitive knowledge, critical thinking and reflection were used to describe the process and changes of the teacher. Based on a particular experience carried out for the teaching of spectroscopy in secondary school level Physics lessons, a reflection is raised on the practice itself aimed at transforming the teaching task into an object of action - research for the teacher. The processes involved in the selection of the topic, the basis for the design and implementation of the practical activity and the observations of the teacher are described. The results have shown the influence of the teacher intentions and knowledge on his PCK development by means of searching for the best way to design the class for particular students in a particular context. These are a first step to lighten the shadows on the journey to become a Physics education researcher.