1. WHY ARE STUDENTS NOT ATTRACTED
BY PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY?
Sérgio C. Leal1,2, João Paulo Leal1,3
1 Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, FCUL, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
2 Escola Secundária de Albufeira
3 Unidade de Ciências Químicas e Radiofarmaceuticas, ITN, 2686-953 Sacavém
E-mail: sergioleal20@gmail.com
20-05-2009 1
EDULEARN09
International Conference on Education and New Learning
Technologies
BARCELONA, JULY 2009

2. Why are students not attracted by Physics
and Chemistry?
Introduction
• The present academic approach suggest that
e-learning will become a normal part of university
practice over time, complementing traditional metho
ds, and that students will arrive expecting that e-tools
and practices will be in place to enhance and support
their learning.
20-05-2009 2

3. Why are students not attracted by Physics
and Chemistry?
Description
• The subjects of Physics and Chemistry in Portugal
are frequently rejected by the students because of
the referred difficulty of their curricula [1].
• However, Physics and Chemistry are important
subjects to the construction of students scientific
literacy knowledge and to their academic path in our
technological society.
20-05-2009 3

4. Why are students not attracted by Physics
and Chemistry?
Description
• A study of 2006 [2] intended to analyse the
perception from both students and teachers,
regarding the organic chemistry curriculum in second
ary Portuguese school education.
• The study proposes some ways to improve the
teaching/learning process in this area of chemistry,
but applicable to general science education.
20-05-2009 4

5. Why are students not attracted by Physics
and Chemistry?
Description
• The study is a developing curricular project to serve
people in several education areas:
1. Those from the Ministry of Education responsible
for the conceptualization and revision of the
curricula;
2. Authors of textbooks who use the curricula as a
guideline to develop material supportive of the
teaching/learning process;
20-05-2009 5

6. Why are students not attracted by Physics
and Chemistry?
Description
• The study is a developing curricular project to serve
people in several education areas :
3. Secondary schools teachers who provide the
students the essential information and promote the
scientific literacy regarding the learning of organic
chemistry.
20-05-2009 6

7. Why are students not attracted by Physics
and Chemistry?
Description
• The results of this study point out to the need of
intervention regarding the amendment of the
curricula and of textbooks in the secondary school in
scientific educational areas in question.
• Moreover, the initial and continuous training of
teachers at this level is a key point.
20-05-2009 7

8. Why are students not attracted by Physics
and Chemistry?
Description
• It seems that is necessary to adopt teaching
methodologies to new learning requirements
regarding Science, Technology, and Environment and
their inter-relations with the Information Society
we are living in nowadays [3].
20-05-2009 8

9. Why are students not attracted by Physics
and Chemistry?
Description
• Diversify classes with a greater laboratorial
component and take advantage of the
communication technologies available could be the
solution.
• So, students are expected to apply their knowledge of
scientific evidence to their decision-making,
regardless of the action they choose to take.
20-05-2009 9

10. Why are students not attracted by Physics
and Chemistry?
Description
• Next step will be the production of pedagogical
materials using new technologies of communication
and information like:
1. Online virtual laboratories;
2. Virtual learning environments;
3. E-learning projects and experiences;
4. Computer software education;
20-05-2009 10

11. Why are students not attracted by Physics
and Chemistry?
Description
• Next step will be the production of pedagogical
materials using new technologies of communication
and information like:
5. Videos for learning;
6. Digital libraries or repositories;
7. E-portfolios.
20-05-2009 11

12. Why are students not attracted by Physics
and Chemistry?
Conclusion
• The use of new technologies in teaching methods is a
way to increase students motivation and interest in
science, connecting the scientific knowledge with the
everyday life since primary school.
20-05-2009 12

13. Why are students not attracted by Physics
and Chemistry?
Conclusion
• In a preliminary study we start working in a project,
called e-lab, which uses online virtual laboratories.
• The main advantage of an online virtual laboratory is
the usage by schools that don’t have other
possibilities to achieve experimental work with
students.
• Till now, the students interest to learn using e-lab is
clearly strong.
20-05-2009 13

14. Why are students not attracted by Physics
and Chemistry?
References
[1] Paiva, J. O fascínio de ser professor. Lisboa: Texto
Editores, 2007.
[2] Leal, S. C. A química orgânica no ensino secundário:
percepções e propostas. MsC. Thesis. Aveiro:
Universidade de Aveiro, 2006.
[3] SEPUP. Science Education for Public Understanding
Program. Recovered in 2008, August 21, of
http://www.lhs.berkeley.edu/SEPUP.
20-05-2009 14