The students’ Physics Problem Solving Skills in basic physics course

Abstract

One important skill that can support the success of learning physics for students is problem solving skills. This study explores the level of Physics Problem Solving Skills (PPSS) of 54 first semester students (11 men and 43 women, age range 16-18 years) in basic physics course in the science and physics education study program at Universitas Bengkulu, Indonesia. In the first lecture, students learn the concept of one-dimensional motion includes uniformly accelerated motion and vertical motion, but the lecturer does not provide examples of problems and how to solve them. In the second lecture, students learn the concept of Newton’s Law and its application, and the lecturer gives examples of problems and stages to solve them, however the lecturer does not emphasize that these stages are important procedures in solving physical problems. At the end of each lesson, students are given an essay Physics Problem Solving Skills test. Based on an analysis of student answers, it is known that in general the student PPSS level is still in the novice and transition categories. This indicates the importance of developing and implementing basic physics lecture programs that are able to promote students’ higher-order thinking skills including physics problem solving skills.