Module Information
Module Identifier
PH34410
Module Title
Teaching Physics Through Work Experience in School
Academic Year
2025/2026
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1
Exclusive (Any Acad Year)
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Lesson plan and reflection (2000 words) | 40% |
| Semester Assessment | Placement Diary (10 x 500 words, total 5000 words) | 60% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Determined by the Departmental Examination Board (Students must take elements of assessments equivalent to those that lead to failure of the module). | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the fundamentals of teaching physics in a school.
2. Demonstrate understanding of the communication and demonstration of physics concepts on a level suitable for school children.
3. Demonstrate organisational and reflection skills in keeping a diary of activities during the school placement, showing development during the semester.
4. Prepare and implement a specific teaching activity aimed at supporting teaching at the school.
5. Be aware of the importance of STEM teaching and the challenges involved.
Brief description
This module gives an opportunity for Physics undergraduates to gain valuable work experience in a school.
There will be a short formal information/training session prior to the school placement. During the school placement, the students will initially observe and record various teaching sessions. Over the course of the semester they will progress to some supervised teaching activities at an appropriate level.
Places on the module may be limited due to placement and resources availability and are also subject to DBS checks for each student. The module depends on the circumstances of Covid and possible limitations in schools. Interested students should contact the module coordinator before selecting the module at pre-registration.
There will be a short formal information/training session prior to the school placement. During the school placement, the students will initially observe and record various teaching sessions. Over the course of the semester they will progress to some supervised teaching activities at an appropriate level.
Places on the module may be limited due to placement and resources availability and are also subject to DBS checks for each student. The module depends on the circumstances of Covid and possible limitations in schools. Interested students should contact the module coordinator before selecting the module at pre-registration.
Content
There is no formal syllabus. The students will:
- attend a short formal information session
- gain experience in a local school: 10 half-days under the mentoring of a teacher
- observe teaching sessions
- conduct small-scale teaching activities, including planning and reflection
- plan, implement and reflect on a teaching session under appropriate supervision
The module is assessed through a diary of lesson observations (which includes attendance record), and a planned teaching activity.
- attend a short formal information session
- gain experience in a local school: 10 half-days under the mentoring of a teacher
- observe teaching sessions
- conduct small-scale teaching activities, including planning and reflection
- plan, implement and reflect on a teaching session under appropriate supervision
The module is assessed through a diary of lesson observations (which includes attendance record), and a planned teaching activity.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | Central to teaching physics in schools. |
| Communication | Oral and written communication skills central to the student’s teaching activities, as well as their assessment. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | The diary, as well as the expectations of their school mentors, will encourage continuous development of their performance. |
| Information Technology | The student must research information for their assessments using the internet (e.g. preparing appropriate activities for teaching). |
| Personal Development and Career planning | This module is specifically designed to prepare students to a career in teaching. |
| Problem solving | Central in physics and essential for teaching physics in schools. |
| Research skills | The student will research information on the subject, using the library and internet. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Design and implementation of experiments at a level appropriate for schools. |
| Team work | Central to the expectations of the student at their school placement, in engaging with their mentor and other school staff. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 6