Physics Teaching Concept Maps

Feeling that students don't have a full and further understanding of physics and that they don't have a clear train of thinking while solving problems, and inspired by a handbook on physics about concept maps, the writer began to apply concept maps to the research work on physics teaching.Based on this and beginning with book reviews, the essay mainly dwells itself on organizing the basic concepts, some research work already done in this field and some related theories. The essay is aimed at practical research work, and the following are about its content, methods and conclusions.I. Research on the ways that students use concept maps and its resultThe writer chooses one class as an experimented class, while the other as a compared one. In the experimented class, the writer instructs the students to use concept maps in the processes of preparation of the lessons, revision, answering questions, and exchanging ideas when doing investigative research, through which, the writer has got some experience.The students in the experimented class think it useful to use concept maps in revision, answering questions and investigative learning, but not useful in preparation. While using this method, the students who often fail in the exams have made great progress, but the effect of cultivating the students' interest and confidence in physics is not obvious.II. Research on the feed-back information from the teacher and the studentsThe teacher gets some information through the concept maps made by students according to the instructions and checks the information by comparing it with the students' daily behavior and talking with the students. The research shows that teachers can get information through students' learning methods and it is good for offering the students some learning tips. Besides, by getting the information, teachers can find out the problems and help the students correct them.Questionnaires indicate that students are able to reflect upon themselves during the process of finishing the concept maps.III. Research on students' attitudes towards the concept mapsAccording to the questionnaires, the students are in favor of concept maps, especially its effect on revision.Lastly, the writer puts forward some teaching advice originating from the writer's own thinking about physics teaching in practical research.Meanwhile, the writer holds that the application of concept maps to physics teaching is still in an experimental period. There is a lot of work remained to be done both in its practice and researching methods.