AI summary · arXiv: 2304.05585v1 · physics.ed-ph

Instructional Strategies that Foster Effective Problem-Solving

Chandralekha Singh, Alexandru Maries, Kenneth Heller, Patricia Heller
Original paper · DOI 10.1063/9780735425477_017 Submitted to arXiv on 12 Apr. 2023 34 pages, 3 figures License: NONEXCLUSIVE-DISTRIB 1.0

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The essentials

  • The article explores the importance of helping students become proficient problem solvers in physics courses at all levels.
  • Physics has been used to investigate the differences between expert and novice problem solvers.
  • To become an expert physics problem solver, one must learn to unpack and interpret physical laws in mathematical form and apply them in diverse situations while managing cognitive load and practicing metacognition.
  • The authors review foundational research on expertise in physics problem-solving and discuss instructional strategies that promote effective problem-solving.
  • Challenges faced by physics instructors and teaching assistants when changing their instructional practices via professional development to support effective problem-solving approaches are addressed.
  • Educators can help students develop essential skills for success in physics and beyond by understanding the nuances of expert problem solving in physics courses.

Key points written by AI: they may contain errors, check them against the paper.

AI-generated keywords: Expertise Problem-solving Physics Instructional Strategies Metacognition

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The article "Instructional Strategies that Foster Effective Problem-Solving" by Chandralekha Singh, Alexandru Maries, Kenneth Heller, and Patricia Heller explores the importance of helping students become proficient problem solvers in physics courses at all levels. Physics has been used as a domain to investigate the differences between expert and novice problem solvers due to its agreement on what constitutes good problem-solving. To become an expert physics problem solver, one must learn to unpack and interpret physical laws in mathematical form and apply them in diverse situations while managing cognitive load and practicing metacognition. The authors review foundational research on expertise in physics problem-solving and discuss instructional strategies that promote effective problem-solving. They also address challenges faced by physics instructors and teaching assistants when changing their instructional practices via professional development to support effective problem-solving approaches. This article provides valuable insights into how educators can help students develop essential skills for success in physics and beyond. By understanding the nuances of expert problem solving in physics courses, educators can create more effective learning experiences for their students.

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