PERC 2016 Abstract Detail Page
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| Abstract Title: | Synthesis physics problem solving with varying mathematical complexity |
|---|---|
| Abstract: | We report a study on students' approaches to quantitative synthesis problems with varying mathematical complexities. Synthesis problems involve multiple concepts typically taught in different chapters. Mathematical complexity is determined by the number and the type of equations to be concurrently manipulated. Students from a second year calculus-based physics course were randomly assigned to solve one of the three problems varying in mathematical complexity: simple, medium, or complex. Results from written and interview responses revealed four major problem-solving approaches used by the students: trial-and-error, flawed reasoning, knowledgeable, and expert-like approach. Students solving the simple problem used all the four approaches, whereas those solving the other two mainly used the "trial-and-error" or "flawed reasoning" approaches. A common phenomenon is that many could identify the appropriate concepts but failed to correctly apply them. Additionally, the students made similar mistakes on all the three problems. |
| Abstract Type: | Contributed Poster Presentation |
Author/Organizer Information | |
| Primary Contact: |
Bashirah Ibrahim The Ohio State University, School of Teaching and Learning 1945 N. High Street Columbus, OH |
| Co-Author(s) and Co-Presenter(s) |
Lin Ding, The Ohio State University, School of Teaching and Learning. Daniel R. White, The Ohio State University, Department of Physics. Ryan Badeau, The Ohio State University, Department of Physics. Andrew F. Heckler, The Ohio State University, Department of Physics. |
