Self-reported “best” resources for teachers

Abstract

In over 80% of the schools where physics is taught, there is only one teacher teaching the subject, so most teachers cannot readily turn to a colleague at their schools for answers or suggestions about issues that deal specifically with physics. When physics teachers do have questions about physics content, the most often reported “best” source for answers is the Internet. Potentially demonstrating a better personal network or a better familiarity with the resources available to them, teachers who had completed physics education courses were significantly less likely to use their class texts as the best answer source. Instead, they were more likely to rely on college or university teachers. Having access to resources beyond the class text can help teachers develop a more nuanced understanding of physics concepts, as well as a better sense of perspective about the content they teach.