PTEC Topical Workshop: Pedagogical Content Knowledge

April 19, 2010 - April 20, 2010 in New Brunswick, NJ at Rutgers University

A two-day topical workshop highlighting the unique Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK)-based curriculum developed at Rutgers.

Cost: Free. All attendees must be active PTEC members; see www.PTEC.org/join for information on PTEC membership.

Housing and meals: PTEC will cover the costs of two nights in a hotel and all meals during the workshop. The hotel reservation deadline is Friday, April 2.

Registration is now open. The deadline is Friday, April 9.

Workshop description

Rutgers University, in cooperation with the Physics Teacher Education Coalition (PTEC), invites you to attend a workshop that will change how you think about preparing physics teachers. Rutgers is one of the most successful physics teacher education programs in the nation, graduating more than 5 teachers per year. The Rutgers program focuses on the development of pedagogical content knowledge (PCK), described by Lee Shulman as the unique combination of content and pedagogical knowledge that is essential to the teaching profession. It includes, but is not limited to, knowledge of students' difficulties and prior conceptions as well as content-specific productive representations, instructional strategies, and assessment methods.

In this 1.5-day workshop, participants will learn how future physics teachers build PCK through coursework and teaching experiences in the Rutgers Ed.M. Certification Program in Physical Science and Physics Education. Participants will meet students and program graduates who are New Jersey physics teachers. They will also attend workshop meetings, mock classes, and actual classes in the program.

Expected outcomes

Participants will gain a deeper understanding of physics PCK and how to help pre-service teachers develop this specialized knowledge for teaching physics. They will leave with a draft outline of one or more courses for their institution in which pre-service teachers will develop physics PCK, including strategies for implementing the course(s).

Workshop Schedule

Monday, April 19
9 am - 12 pm: Discussion of physics PCK and its development
12 - 1 pm: Lunch
1 - 3:30 pm: Participation in mock lessons from Rutgers courses "Development of Ideas in Physical Science" and "Teaching Physical Science"
3:30 - 4:30 pm: Afternoon coffee break with discussion and reflections
4:30 - 7 pm: Participation in class "Multiple Representations in Physical Science"
7 - 7:45 pm: Dinner
7:45 - 9:30 pm: Meeting of program graduates (NJ physics teachers)

Tuesday, April 20
9 am - 12 pm: Discussion of clinical practice - teaching experiences
12 - 1 pm: Lunch
1 - 2:30 pm: Summary and reflection
4:30 - 7:30 pm: Participation in class "Teaching Physical Science" - (optional)

Detailed Descriptions