Research
Intrinsic Motivation of Students in Experimental Activities
Since 2017, together with my colleague Petr Kácovský and occasionally other colleagues from our department, I have been investigating the impact of experimental activities on the intrinsic motivation of upper secondary school students.
Between 2017 and 2020, we conducted research using the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI), based on Self-Determination Theory. Our study included:
- Over 5,000 participants in demonstration physics experiments,
- More than 2,000 visitors to the Interactive Physics Laboratory, which emphasizes a hands-on approach to experiments,
- Over 2,000 participants in the interactive physics show Physics with All Senses.
We are continuously analyzing and publishing the results of this research.
Cognitive Demands of Curricular Documents
Since 2019, I have been part of a research team composed of experts from various fields (physics, chemistry, biology, geography, geology, and mathematics). We focus on analyzing the cognitive demands of the intended curriculum for lower secondary education, particularly examining the required learning outcomes as specified in national education documents.
- In 2021, we published a study comparing curricular demands in the Czech Republic, Estonia, Poland, and Slovenia.
- In 2024, we published a comparative study focusing on the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Problem-Solving Strategies
I have been engaged in research on problem-solving strategies since my PhD thesis. In addition to studying the strategies students use, I develop instructional activities designed to enhance specific strategies and contribute to an electronic Collection of solved physics problems.
Generative AI in Physics Education
Since 2023, I have been exploring the use of generative AI in physics education together with my colleagues. Between September 2023 and February 2024, we conducted a survey examining the experiences of upper secondary school students with chatbot usage in science subjects (physics, chemistry, and biology). I also focus on prompting strategies and language switching when interacting with chatbots in a physics context.
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