Solving problems, especially in physics, has been well studied (e.g. Larkin, McDermott, Simon and Simon 1980: here and Chi, Glaser … More
Category: physics
Visible Physics – My ASE Presentation
Many thanks to everyone who came. I really enjoyed it and am grateful to colleagues who chose to come. I … More
Cartoons and Abstract Visuals
Barbara Tversky (Minds in Motion) discusses the cognitive power of cartoons to explain abstract concepts. In these three images, I … More
Using Visual Explanations Leads to Better Performance
I have been listening to Barbara Tversky’s wonderful new book: Mind in Motion, about the roots of thinking in the … More
Up and Down the Ladder of Abstraction
Yesterday I wrote about the importance of physical, experiential knowlegde of physics: a sense of forces and flow; of motion … More
A Visceral Hinterland in Physics
Underneath it all, physicists think with their bodies. They know what it feels like. Einstein described his approach to problem-solving … More
A Couple of Posters Inspired By Oliver Caviglioli’s New Book
Last week, Oliver Caviglioli’s new book (Dual Coding with Teachers) arrived. It’s great. I’ve spent a lot of time over … More
A Quick Translation of a German Year 10 Physics Exam
In 1992, I completed my physics degree. Out of a cohort of 80, less than 5 of us found physics … More
The Privileged Status of Story – Energy – Audio Version
I wrote my book for novice physics teachers and I’ve had some very kind feedback about it. Chapter Zero in … More
Why Bar-Model Works #1: Dual Coding
I have been using bar-model incidentally in my year 11 revision groups for a couple of months now. I usually … More
