An Investigation into Understanding the Concepts of Optics at Different Levels

Abstract

Science is a dynamic, expanding body of knowledge, covering ever-new domains of experience. In a progressive forward-looking society, science can play a truly liberating role, helping people escape from the vicious cycle of poverty, ignorance and superstition. Learning of basic science as a subject like physics has always found a high priority in the society. During the last two and half decades many physicists have devoted their attention to know how the students construct their knowledge pertaining to a phenomenon. It is established that students enter their physics courses possessing strong notions, beliefs and intuitions. These notions arc derived from personal experiences and influence students' interpretations of subject matter. During the last few decades, there has been much interest in the study of exploration of misconceptions of physics among students. Such studies are especially of importance from the viewpoint of planning teaching strategy to help students to make them think in the scientific way. Identification of the proper strategy is necessary for teacher educators for effective designing of teaching and training programmes. Keeping this in view a research project on “An Investigation into Understanding the Concepts of Optics at Different Levels” has been under taken.