Cognitive Artefacts, Technology and Physics Education

Abstract

Computers are now a major tool in research and development in almost all scientific and technological fields, particularly in physics. Despite recent developments, this is far from true for learning environments in schools and in most undergraduate courses. After discussing how relevant is familiarization and reification in the learning of physics, this paper argues that computers must be used as cognitive artefacts, as tools to think with, i.e., as tools that allow students to learn physics by manipulating concreteabstract objects. The paper ends with a discussion how a lasting change in physics teaching and learning can be implemented.