The effect of a number of SEC subjects on A level Physics

Abstract

This study investigates the progression from Secondary Education Certificate (henceforth SEC) Physics to Advanced (henceforth A) level Physics, and any possible inherent problems for students and teachers. Four research questions related to this issue were identified: (a) the changes made in the 2012 SEC Physics syllabus; (b) whether the SEC Physics syllabus was a good foundation for A level Physics; (c) whether the SEC Mathematics syllabus was sufficient to satisfy the mathematical skills and knowledge required for A level Physics; and (d) the correlation coefficients between each of SEC Physics, Mathematics and English Language on one hand, and A level Physics on the other. A mixed methods approach was used for the collection of data from 165 questionnaires distributed among second year A level Physics students across Malta and Gozo, sixteen questionnaires and five interviews with A level Physics teachers, four interviews with SEC Physics teachers and a focus group of second year A level Physics students. Teachers considered the changes made in the 2012 SEC Physics syllabus as not so helpful as they believed that these increased the gap between SEC and A level Physics. Students still considered SEC Physics as a good foundation for A level Physics. Teachers believed that the SEC Physics syllabus provided a ‘not so good’ foundation for A level Physics. Students regarded an Intermediate level in Mathematics as the least level to study A level Physics. A good grade and understanding in SEC Mathematics was considered a desirable support for the study of A level Physics by teachers. Respondents also acknowledged the important role of English language skills in understanding A level Physics questions. The correlation coefficients for SEC Physics, Mathematics and English Language with A level Physics were 0.544, 0.452 and 0.411 respectively. Suggestions to reduce student difficulties and enhance the progression rates in A level Physics and in science related careers were also presented.