Mikkel Heise Kofoed 2006 Phys. Educ. 41 502 doi:10.1088/0031-9120/41/6/002
Mikkel Heise Kofoed
Show affiliationsRole-play as a way of teaching is seldom used in physics. One reason is that role-play is usually constructed so as to contain some sort of conflict and conflicts do not often appear in the course of normal physics teaching. When it comes to the role of physics in war, role-play is an ideal way of presenting content to students. By taking part in role-play students become actively engaged in the teaching situation, developing their interest in physics. They also get a chance to understand the ethical issues involved.
This article presents an example of a role-play based educational programme concerning the development of, the decisions behind, and the use of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs during World War II. Some early research results are presented from evaluating the educational programme in lower and upper secondary schools in Denmark.
01.40.Ha Learning theory and science teaching
01.40.Di Course design and evaluation
01.40.Fk Physics education research (cognition, problem solving, etc.)
Issue 6 (November 2006)
Received 15 August 2006, in final form 15 September 2006
Mikkel Heise Kofoed 2006 Phys. Educ. 41 502
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