Speaking and Writing Physics 101: The Language and Multiple Competencies of Solving First-year Physics Problems

Alfredo Ferreira, Lecturer, Academic English Program, Vantage College
Georg Rieger, Associate Professor of Teaching, Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Science / Vantage College

The proposed project supports multilingual students through the development of comprehensive instructional materials on the language of first-year physics. The teaching materials will be implemented as a unit-by-unit supplement to the internationally-available OER physics textbook for PHYS117 and in the credit-bearing content-and-language-integrated course in the science stream at Vantage College, VANT140. The supplement also offers a template for integrating discipline-specific language and multiple competencies instruction in chemistry and mathematics within and beyond Vantage College. Specifically, the instructional materials scaffold the multiple functions of language in generating valued physics knowledge by unpacking how these functions are realized in spoken and written problem-solving across multiple competencies in physics: mathematical, qualitative, visual. A key instructional tool are videos of students with different skill-sets solving problems, highlighting the collaborative use of language among differently-skilled learners. The proposed project extends from the successful piloting in W1 2021 of two early units across sections of VANT140.

Alfredo Ferreira, Lecturer, Academic English Program, Vantage College
Georg Rieger, Associate Professor of Teaching, Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Science / Vantage College
Wucheng Zhang, PhD Student, Physics, Princeton University

This project supports multilingual physics students by extending the development of a free, online, OER supplementary textbook for first-year physics courses. The textbook supplements any standard first-year physics course through multimedia-enhanced, gamified instruction and tasks that centralize learners’ knowledge, experiences, and development in solving problems involving the typical range of physics concepts introduced in first-year. The instructed content focuses on the nature and functions of language within the multiple competencies integral to problem-solving practices. Specifically, variation in the functions of language, figures, and mathematics is explored at two scales: across the stages of two high- stakes problem-solving genres (spoken group work and formal, written solutions), and across learners’ developmental trajectories, which typically vary in these meaning-making resources. This unique resource is expected to benefit all physics students and instructors with an interest in understanding problem-solving practices in physics as specialized, multiliterate practice and the practical, self-regulated application of this new awareness.

Alfredo Ferreira, Sr. Lecturer, Academic English Program, Vantage College
Georg Rieger, Associate Professor of Teaching, Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Science / Vantage College
Wucheng Zhang, PhD Candidate, Physics, Princeton University

This project supports multilingual first-year physics students by offering a free, online, OER supplementary textbook focused on learning (about) the use of language, alongside figures and mathematics, in solving first-year physics problems in speech and writing. The textbook offers multimedia-enhanced, gamified instruction and tasks that centralize learners’ knowledge, experiences, and development in mediating and communicating first-year physics solutions. Instruction focuses on building knowledge and competencies at two scales: across the procedural stages of solving problems in spoken group work and formal, written solutions, and across learners’ developmental trajectories in physics literacy. This unique resource, usable in self-study as well as group and facilitated study, is expected to benefit all physics students with an interest in understanding the role of language in physics problem-solving and applying this awareness more effectively within and beyond physics.