An Overview of Problem Solving Studies in Physics Education

Elif Ince

doi:10.5539/jel.v7n4p191

Abstract

Education policies today aim to raise individuals with 21st Century skills considered as a universal necessity and problem-solving skill is the one of the skills that have emerged as a requirement of the 21st century. Teaching problem solving is one of the most important topics of physics education, it is also the field where students have the most problems. While trying to solve physics problems, students often express that they understand the questions, they know the laws of physics on which the problem is based they have solved many similar problems, but the new problem is different from the previous problems therefore they cannot solve the problem. The aim of this study is to present an overview problem solving studies in physics education according to student level, methodology, and development of the problem-solving strategies usage chronologicaly.

Highlights

At every stage of our lives, we encounter various problems, which can sometimes be difficult, and we strive to solve these problems
The aim of this study is to present an overview problem solving studies in Physics Education
The results of this study revealed that the increase in the number of physics problems solved had no impacts on students’ academic achievement, self-confidence and understanding of concepts and that students’ performance of solving physics problems can be enhanced by the strategies learned and applied (Byu and Lee, 2014)

Summary

Introduction

At every stage of our lives, we encounter various problems, which can sometimes be difficult, and we strive to solve these problems. Problem is defined by many researches as “a situation which people suddenly encounter and do not know how to react at the moment” (Reys et al.,, 1998), “anything that can make people’s beliefs and opinions unclear” (Korsunsky, 2003), “any situation that creates ambiguity, curiosity and doubt” (Charles and Lester, 1982), “situations which create a desire to solve in people and which people are not ready to solve but they can solve using their previous experience or knowledge when they encounter” (Blum and Niss, 1991) When all these definitions are examined, it can be argued that a problem is a difficulty, which individuals need to, remove but that do not have a preparation regarding the solution. The basic steps of problem-solving phases include many basic thinking processes such as individual’s becoming aware of and understanding a known or defined problem, collecting information needed to overcome this problem, searching for solutions, testing the suitability of these solutions, choosing the most suitable solution and assessment of the solution of the problem

Studies on Problem Solving in Physics Education

Discussion and Conclusion