Blended Learning of Physics in the Context of the Professional Development of Teachers

Abstract

In line with the improvement of traditional teaching methods, the new ones are intensively introduced at all levels of education. Usually, these are the methods tied with e-learning. Essentially, teachers must be able and ready to create an innovation-driven learning environment contributing to the effective individualization of the learning process. At the same time, each student should achieve the highest possible outcomes standing behind the personality development. This paper introduces the refresher courses designed for the physics teachers. These courses are based on the blended learning technology combining traditional full-time education with the elements of distance learning supported by LMS Moodle. The courses were tested at the Elabuga Institute of Kazan Federal University in 2016-2018. This paper describes the module-based course structure and methods for applying the e-learning modules. The distinctive feature of the course is that the content of the learning modules was designed to deliver different methods for teaching physics and to improve the general cultural competence of a teacher. The analysis of polling results (poll included 89 physics teachers) allowed assessing the efficiency of designed courses in the context of teacher’s professional development, his/her readiness to work in modern learning environment. The research outcomes will be also useful for foreign educational establishments implementing the teacher professional development programs.