The NSW HSC Physics Syllabus and its Implications for First Year University Physics
Anna Binnie
Department of Physics
Macquarie UniversityAbstract
The introduction of a new HSC Physics Syllabus in NSW in 2000 has profound implications for the teaching of University First Year Physics. In the past students were taught along traditional lines of Mechanics, Electricity, Electromagnetism, etc., the new syllabus presents Physics in a contextual form. Further the new syllabus actually states what compulsory practical work must be done and what other physics skills students must attain. The profile of a student completing this new course is entirely different to that of one who has completed the HSC Physics course in the past.
The challenge for University educators is either to ignore the process that is occurring at the high school level and teach the same material in the same way as before, afterall it has worked for the last 20 (?) years hasn't it? Or to attempt to build on what the students know and can do.
This paper will compare the student profiles of the existing syllabus with the new syllabus and present some questions for university educators to consider for their first year courses.
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