PERC 2011 Abstract Detail Page
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| Abstract Title: | Assessing Student’s Ability to Solve Textbook-Style Problems: Update |
|---|---|
| Abstract: | Development of students problem-solving ability is commonly cited as a primary goal in introductory physics courses. However, there is no broadly agreed upon definition of what is meant by problem solving. Most physicists want students to successfully apply a logical yet flexible approach to solving real-world problems significantly different from any they have seen before. Still, many introductory instructors are primarily concerned with how successfully and thoughtfully students solve standard textbook-style problems. We report on our continuing efforts to construct and validate a 13-item survey to help assess students' abilities at solving textbook-style problems in the domains of Newtons Laws, momentum, and energy. Since the Fall of 2009, we have been beta-testing this instrument on introductory physics students (pre-instruction and post-instruction) at several institutes and on a pool of experts. In this poster, we will present details of the survey instrument, its administration, and some results from our beta-tests. |
| Abstract Type: | Contributed Poster |
Author/Organizer Information | |
| Primary Contact: |
Jeff Marx McDaniel College 2 College Hill Westminster, MD 21157 Phone: 410-386-4619 |
| Co-Author(s) and Co-Presenter(s) |
Karen Cummings |
