Classical Mechanics Key Topics in Physics Teacher Education: Results of an Exploratory Mind Map Study

Abstract

Although the central role of classical mechanics in physics teacher education is undisputed, divergent interests and perspectives from different disciplinary cultures might exist when thinking about how to best support pre-service teachers' professional development. In this article, we report the results of an exploratory mind map study to investigate which classical mechanics topics are regarded essential for physics teacher education according to N = 29 experts from different physics disciplines. The participants’ mind maps were analyzed using a category system and frequency analysis was applied. The results hint at similarities and differences in terms of key topics to be addressed in physics teacher education on classical mechanics according to experts from different physics disciplines, e.g., in terms of the depth of mathematics considered relevant for physics teacher education.