A proposal for teaching the concepts of electric and magnetic field: an application of history of physics

Abstract

In this paper, we propose an alternative way to introduce the concepts of electric and magnetic fields to high school students, which is inspired by the theory of Meaningful Learning, by Ausubel and Novak. The History of Physics discloses the elements that give meaning to a concept, in so far as it presents the problems that led to the formulation of the concept. Therefore we believe that it can be brought into the process of meaningful teaching and learning, performing a fundamental role in the assimilation of new concepts to the cognitive structure. The results of the application of the method in Colégio Pedro II, in Rio de Janeiro, are presented.