Teaching College Physics to the K to 12 Program Graduates: Teachers’ Experiences and Perspectives

Abstract

This qualitative research explored the experiences of university professors and instructors in teaching College Physics to the K to 12 Program graduates. The data were obtained from Physics professors and instructors from various state universities in Eastern Visayas through semi-structured interviews. Using Colaizzi’s method of data analysis, five themes regarding the issues and challenges were generated. These themes are: STEM versus non-STEM graduates; students’ lack of knowledge and poor conceptual understanding; challenges in teaching problem solving; challenges in conducting laboratory activities; and negative perception towards physics. In each of the issues and challenges, corrective measures were employed by the participants. Recommendations addressed to various stakeholders were also sought from them. Results reveal that there is a lack of readiness for the K to 12 Program graduates to take on the College Physics course and there are serious learning gaps between Physics education in higher education and K to 12 Basic Education curricula. The results of this study can guide the concerned individuals in the educational sector in making ways to establish continuity and progression in learning Physics.