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Reasoning Modes, Knowledge Elements and Their Interplay in Optics Problem-Solving
written by Adriana Undreiu, David Schuster, and Betty Adams
We have investigated how students tackle problems in geometric optics involving ray construction, to try to understand the nature and origin of the surprisingly wide variety of students' solution attempts. We find that students use various reasoning modes and knowledge elements in conjunction. Their thinking may usefully be described as an interplay of principle-based and case-based reasoning, drawing on a knowledge mixture of basic principles, procedures, specific cases and recalled result features. Even though we usually present solutions and teach problem solving as a systematic application of principles, real cognition is more complex. Associative thinking in terms of prior cases seems to be a strong natural tendency of both novices and experts. However, novices are not easily able to discriminate the specific from the general, and tend to lack epistemic awareness and metacognitive skills. Our research findings will be illustrated by examples of student thinking on a basic reflection problem. Implications for learning and instruction are discussed.
Physics Education Research Conference 2008
Part of the PER Conference series
Edmonton, Canada: July 23-24, 2008
Volume 1064, Pages 211-214
Subjects Levels Resource Types
Education Foundations
- Cognition
= Cognition Development
- Problem Solving
Optics
- Geometrical Optics
- Upper Undergraduate
- Graduate/Professional
- Reference Material
= Research study
Intended Users Formats Ratings
- Researchers
- application/pdf
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Mirror:
https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3021257
Access Rights:
Free access and
Available for purchase
Restriction:
© 2008 American Institute of Physics
A hard copy of the PERC 2008 proceedings is available for purchase from the AIP.
DOI:
10.1063/1.3021257
PACSs:
01.40.Fk
01.40.Ha
01.40.gb
01.40.–d
02.60.Pn
01.50.F-
Keywords:
PERC 2008, Physics education research, case-based reasoning, cognition, educational aids, educational courses, educational technology, learning (artificial intelligence), optics, philosophical aspects, problem solving, research and development management
Record Cloner:
Metadata instance created September 29, 2008 by Jenny Rempel
Record Updated:
July 16, 2013 by Lyle Barbato
Last Update
when Cataloged:
October 20, 2008
Other Collections:

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Record Link
AIP Format
A. Undreiu, D. Schuster, and B. Adams, , presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2008, Edmonton, Canada, 2008, WWW Document, (https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=8119&DocID=753).
AJP/PRST-PER
A. Undreiu, D. Schuster, and B. Adams, Reasoning Modes, Knowledge Elements and Their Interplay in Optics Problem-Solving, presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2008, Edmonton, Canada, 2008, <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=8119&DocID=753>.
APA Format
Undreiu, A., Schuster, D., & Adams, B. (2008, July 23-24). Reasoning Modes, Knowledge Elements and Their Interplay in Optics Problem-Solving. Paper presented at Physics Education Research Conference 2008, Edmonton, Canada. Retrieved March 28, 2024, from https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=8119&DocID=753
Chicago Format
Undreiu, A, D. Schuster, and B. Adams. "Reasoning Modes, Knowledge Elements and Their Interplay in Optics Problem-Solving." Paper presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2008, Edmonton, Canada, July 23-24, 2008. https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=8119&DocID=753 (accessed 28 March 2024).
MLA Format
Undreiu, Adriana, David Schuster, and Betty Adams. "Reasoning Modes, Knowledge Elements and Their Interplay in Optics Problem-Solving." Physics Education Research Conference 2008. Edmonton, Canada: 2008. 211-214 Vol. 1064 of PER Conference. 28 Mar. 2024 <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=8119&DocID=753>.
BibTeX Export Format
@inproceedings{ Author = "Adriana Undreiu and David Schuster and Betty Adams", Title = {Reasoning Modes, Knowledge Elements and Their Interplay in Optics Problem-Solving}, BookTitle = {Physics Education Research Conference 2008}, Pages = {211-214}, Address = {Edmonton, Canada}, Series = {PER Conference}, Volume = {1064}, Month = {July 23-24}, Year = {2008} }
Refer Export Format

%A Adriana Undreiu %A David Schuster %A Betty Adams %T Reasoning Modes, Knowledge Elements and Their Interplay in Optics Problem-Solving %S PER Conference %V 1064 %D July 23-24 2008 %P 211-214 %C Edmonton, Canada %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=8119&DocID=753 %O Physics Education Research Conference 2008 %O July 23-24 %O application/pdf

EndNote Export Format

%0 Conference Proceedings %A Undreiu, Adriana %A Schuster, David %A Adams, Betty %D July 23-24 2008 %T Reasoning Modes, Knowledge Elements and Their Interplay in Optics Problem-Solving %B Physics Education Research Conference 2008 %C Edmonton, Canada %V 1064 %P 211-214 %S PER Conference %8 July 23-24 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=8119&DocID=753


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