Description:
How to favour a better interaction between research in physics education and practice? It is argued that this challengeis widely determined by the extent of attention given to “critical details”, that is, some fine aspects of teaching practicethat may seem unimportant at first sight although they may have important outcomes. After a first example ingeometrical optics, I discuss some possible reasons for the existence of corresponding rituals at the secondary schooland college levels. It is shown, with the topic of hot air balloons, that certain rituals in our teaching practices can evenmake physical theories seem inconsistent. Using these examples, I discuss how we might better highlight the physicalphenomena under study, and I give evidence of students’ and teachers’ reactions to the proposed changes. I concludeby considering possible actions relating to teacher training and to assessment.