Examining the development of knowledge for teaching a novel introductory physics curriculum

The purpose of this study was to investigate how graduate physics teaching assistants (TAs) develop professional knowledge for teaching a new undergraduate introductory physics curriculum, Matter and Interactions (M&I ). M&I has recently been adopted as a novel introductory physics course that focuses on the application of a small number of fundamental physical principles on the atomic and molecular nature of matter. In this study, I examined the process of five TAs\u27 development of knowledge for implementing the M&I course—from the time they engaged in an M&I content and methods workshop through their first semester as TAs for the course. Through a qualitative, multiple case study research design, data was collected from multiple sources: non-participant observations, digitally recorded video, semi-structured interviews, TAs\u27 written reflections, and field notes. The data were analyzed using the constant comparative method. The TAs\u27 knowledge for teaching M&I was identified in three domains: pedagogical content knowledge, pedagogical knowledge, and subject matter knowledge. First, the three components of TAs\u27 pedagogical content knowledge were identified: knowledge of the goals of M&I, knowledge of instructional strategies, and knowledge of students\u27 learning. Second, pedagogical knowledge that the TAs demonstrated during the study fell predominantly into the category of classroom management and organization. The knowledge of classroom management and organization was categorized into two components: time management skills and group composition. Last, the TAs\u27 subject matter knowledge that they developed through their M&I teaching experience was described in terms of the conceptual structure of the M&I curriculum, the new approach of the M&I curriculum, and specific topic knowledge. The TAs\u27 knowledge for teaching developed from propositional knowledge to personal practical knowledge, and the process of knowledge development consisted of three phases: accepting, actualizing, and internalizing. In addition, the TAs\u27 knowledge developed by combining various components of knowledge for teaching. Two factors that influenced the TAs\u27 knowledge development were identified. First, the TAs\u27 goals in the recitation class and their goals for the checkpoints in the laboratory class influenced their knowledge development. Second, various dilemmas that the TAs encountered during their teaching practice affected the TAs\u27 knowledge development