Developing multi-representational problem solving skills in large, mixed-ability physics classes

First time entering students at South African technikons (even those enrolling for science courses) are typically characterised by having poor numeracy and problem solving skills coupled with poor attitudes towards learning physics. Their secondary education experience of physics has left them with little fondness or appreciation for the subject, which they perceive as a purely formula-driven, mathematical discipline with little or no connection to either their everyday experiences or their future careers.Poor first year pass rates at technikons are but one consequence of such attitudes and under-preparedness. Inappropriate epistemologies hamper life-long learning by precluding students from developing conceptual mastery and from assimilating valuable generic skills such as problem solving. To address this situation, and the declining pass rates among Physics 1 students at the Cape Technikon, a new, research-based teaching strategy was introduced for the first year physics course in which multi-representational problem solving approaches were explicitly developed in order to provide an underlying foundation for the physics. It was found that more students were able to make appropriate use of the mathematical formulae needed to numerically solve a physics question after progressing through a series of non-mathematical representations of the particular problem situation. It was found that, as students’ confidence improved, so too did their attitudes towards the subject. Post course testing showed a shift towards a more positive view of learning physics which also manifested itself in a higher pass rate in the Physics 1 course.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Physics

Year dc:date.issued

2004

Author dc:creator

• Leigh, Gregor

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Buffler, Andy

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/6533

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/6533