Didactic proposal for teaching the geometrical optics with high school students

Abstract

This paper presents a methodological approach to the teaching of geometrical optics based on a review and preliminary analysis of the concepts of elementary geometry. The previous review of geometry elements necessary and sufficient for the construction of the images given by reflection and refraction at plane surfaces, allows the students the interpretation, representation and description of these images with a higher level of conceptualization of physical phenomena, the levels obtained by the conventional ways of teaching, because the student focuses his attention on the physical phenomenon, without worrying at the same time to understand the geometrical tool. The methodological approach was performed with thirty students from a basic secondary school in Bogota-Colombia and, based on some geometry workshops, the students acquired the foundations of geometry giving meaning to geometric constructions of phenomena of reflection and refraction at plane surfaces and subsequently the development of workshops on tracing rays and some laboratory practices, the phenomena of geometrical optics was expanded. This was carried out using the Active Learning Methodology and Solving Problem Methodology. The efficiency of the proposal was measured by comparing the results of a diagnostic test and an output test, where the progress by the students was demonstrated.