PERC 2011 Abstract Detail Page
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| Abstract Title: | Observing the problem solving strategies of students |
|---|---|
| Abstract: | We have observed first year undergraduate physics students at the University of Edinburgh attempting physics problems using the think-aloud protocol. A Livescribe smart pen was used to capture the students' pen strokes and speech in synchronisation. This approach provides a less intrusive means of measuring students' behaviour than methods such as video recording, and more authentically captures how students would normally solve problems: without observers present, and with ordinary paper and pen. Problem solving activities were characterised by coding the think-aloud recordings with respect to identified problem solving behaviours, the recommended problem solving model given in class, and the representations used (diagrams, equations, words etc.). The observed students were categorised into quartiles depending on previous exam score, allowing comparison between their quartile placing and their problem solving activities. Students in all observed quartiles showed very limited planning and self-assessment, but used multiple representations throughout the solution process. |
| Abstract Type: | Contributed Poster |
Contributed Poster | |
| Contributed Poster: | Download the Contributed Poster |
Author/Organizer Information | |
| Primary Contact: |
Ross Galloway University of Edinburgh James Clerk Maxwell Building King's Buildings Edinburgh, EH9 3JZ |
| Co-Author(s) and Co-Presenter(s) |
Marsali Wallace, University of Edinburgh |
