Abstract
Identifying the relevant physics principles is a central component of problem solving. A major goal of most introductory physics courses is to help students discern the deep similarities between problems based upon the physics principles so that they can transfer what they learned by solving one problem to solve another problem which involves the same principle. We conducted an investigation in which 251 calculus- and algebra-based introductory physics students were asked explicitly in the recitation quiz to learn from a solved problem and then solve another problem that has different surface features but the same underlying physics principles. We find that many students were able to discern the deep similarities between the problems. When the solved problem was provided, students were likely to invoke the correct principles; however, more scaffolding is needed to help students apply these principles correctly.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | 2010 Physics Education Research Conference, PERC |
| Pages | 209-212 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Volume | 1289 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2010 Dec 1 |
| Event | 2010 Physics Education Research Conference, PERC - Portland, OR, United States Duration: 2010 Jul 21 → 2010 Jul 22 |
Other
| Other | 2010 Physics Education Research Conference, PERC |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| City | Portland, OR |
| Period | 10-07-21 → 10-07-22 |
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All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Physics and Astronomy(all)
Cite this
}
Using analogies to learn introductory physics. / Lin, Shih Yin; Singh, Chandralekha.
2010 Physics Education Research Conference, PERC. Vol. 1289 2010. p. 209-212.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution
TY - GEN
T1 - Using analogies to learn introductory physics
AU - Lin, Shih Yin
AU - Singh, Chandralekha
PY - 2010/12/1
Y1 - 2010/12/1
N2 - Identifying the relevant physics principles is a central component of problem solving. A major goal of most introductory physics courses is to help students discern the deep similarities between problems based upon the physics principles so that they can transfer what they learned by solving one problem to solve another problem which involves the same principle. We conducted an investigation in which 251 calculus- and algebra-based introductory physics students were asked explicitly in the recitation quiz to learn from a solved problem and then solve another problem that has different surface features but the same underlying physics principles. We find that many students were able to discern the deep similarities between the problems. When the solved problem was provided, students were likely to invoke the correct principles; however, more scaffolding is needed to help students apply these principles correctly.
AB - Identifying the relevant physics principles is a central component of problem solving. A major goal of most introductory physics courses is to help students discern the deep similarities between problems based upon the physics principles so that they can transfer what they learned by solving one problem to solve another problem which involves the same principle. We conducted an investigation in which 251 calculus- and algebra-based introductory physics students were asked explicitly in the recitation quiz to learn from a solved problem and then solve another problem that has different surface features but the same underlying physics principles. We find that many students were able to discern the deep similarities between the problems. When the solved problem was provided, students were likely to invoke the correct principles; however, more scaffolding is needed to help students apply these principles correctly.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=79952001763&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=79952001763&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1063/1.3515202
DO - 10.1063/1.3515202
M3 - Conference contribution
SN - 9780735408449
VL - 1289
SP - 209
EP - 212
BT - 2010 Physics Education Research Conference, PERC
ER -