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Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the effects of teaching of the problem solving strategies on the students’ physics
achievement, strategy level, attitude, and achievement motivation. Experimental procedures were conducted on the
tenth grade students in Turkey. Research data were collected with Physics Achievement Test, Surveys of Problem
Solving Strategies, Problem Solving Attitude, and Achievement Motivation, and problem solving worksheets. During
this study, problem solving strategies were applied to the experimental group by the cooperative learning method and
to the control group by conventional teaching. The averages of the experimental group’s achievement, motivation,
strategy level, and attitude were found to be higher than control group’s. According to the experimental data, gender
didn’t effect the physics achievement of students. It was concluded that problem solving strategies was more effective
in cooperative learning than conventional teaching.
Resumen
El objetivo de este estudio fue examinar los efectos de la enseñanza de estrategias para la resolución de problemas en
los logros de los estudiantes de física, sus niveles de estrategia, actitud y motivación al logro. Los procedimientos
experimentales fueron conducidos en estudiantes de décimo grado en Turquía. La datos fueron recolectados a través
de exámenes para medir el éxito de los estudiantes en Física, estudios de estrategias de resolución de problemas,
actitud para la resolución de problemas, motivación al logro y hojas de cálculo para resolver problemas. Durante este
estudio, las estrategias para la resolución de problemas fueron aplicadas al grupo experimental usando el método de
aprendizaje cooperativo y al grupo de control usando enseñanza convencional. Los promedios de logro, motivación,
nivel de estrategia y actitud en el grupo experimental fueron mayores que los del grupo de control. De acuerdo a los
datos experimentales, se encontró que el género no afecta los logros de los estudiantes de Física. Se concluyó que las
técnicas de solución de problemas fueron más efectivas en aprendizaje cooperativo que en aprendizaje convencional.
The collected data from the PAT, PSSS, PSAS, and AMS
F. Problem Solving Worksheets were analyzed by SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social
Science) 15.0 program for windows. Mean (M), Standard
Problem solving worksheets had been prepared to Deviation (SD), t-test were employed. All statistical tests
determine the problem solving strategies used by students reported in this paper were conducted with a significance
while solving a physics problem. The problems were level of α = 0.05.
arranged at different difficulty level and students included
in experimental and control groups were required to solve
them. For the response to the problem solving worksheets, H. Procedure
firstly problems were to be solved individually then a
common solution of the group was to be written in the The study was performed during the spring semester in
experimental group. Evaluation of the problems solved by High School Physics II course covering “Kinematics and
groups was made by researchers. Common strategies of the Dynamics” concepts. For this research two classes were
students were determined while students were solving selected as mentioned method. The same instructional
physics problems according to achievement, behaviors, and material was used for both classes. Courses were taught by
gender. How is problem solving performance of the the same instructor using the same schedule with different
students measured? In most physics and science courses, instructional methods. The details of this research were
students’ problem solutions on homework, exams or given as follows.
worksheets were given a score based on the correctness of 1. The pre assessments were given on the day before the
the algebraic or numerical solution [8]. A standard grading implementation session during the regular physics course
practice in physics involved giving students partial credit hours.
for particular characteristics of their solution, compared 2. Before teaching of planned chapters, the students
with the ideal solution developed by the instructor. Simply included in the experimental group were informed on
comparing average scores based on this grading scheme, teaching of problem solving strategy steps and cooperative
however, did not give a satisfactory description of the learning method. Besides, the students included in the
student’s problem solving performance. At best it only control group were told only on teaching of problem
gave a suggestion of whether one solution was better than solving strategy steps. The information period was
another in terms of the prescribed grading scheme. A completed in 4 weeks.
different kind of instrument was required to determine the 3. During the experimental procedures, problem solving
nature of a student’s approach to the problem and assess a strategy steps were applied with the cooperative learning
solution in terms of characteristics of expertise in solving method to the experimental group and with the
problems. Problem solving performance of the students was conventional teaching method to the control group.
evaluated according to “evidence of conceptual Problems were solved by using the same problem solving
understanding, usefulness of description, match of strategies on both groups.
equations with description, reasonable plan, logical 4. Class structure of the experimental group was
progression, proper mathematics” [8]. The characteristics in changed in each application according to cooperative
this scheme were graded equally and normalized to obtain a groups [39]. Students included in the experimental group
score over 100 scores. Problems prepared during this were distributed as mixed groups according to
research were based on Bloom’s Taxonomy “Knowledge, achievement, strategy level, attitude, motivation, and
Comprehension, Application, Analysis, Synthesis, gender. Each group consisted of three students. There were
Evaluation” [66]. eight mixed groups in the experimental group. Students
Problem solving steps which would be used to solve the included in the experimental group were given various
problem were selected as; understanding (focus on the tasks during research. These tasks were changed in the
problem), planning (plan the solution), solving (execute the group and among groups to provide changing dynamics of
plan), and checking (evaluate the answer) [8, 41]. Besides, the groups at certain times.
a solution process for such a problem required one or more 5. The activities of both groups were performed by the
of the following: (a) a correct physical interpretation of the researcher and same problems were solved in the classes.
situation, including the goals, (b) identification of a 6. In the experimental process, students in both groups
problem solution approach, including selection of studied on the problem solving worksheets prepared by
appropriate physics concepts or fundamental principles, (c) researcher.
correct implementation of the approach and application of 7. During experimental procedures, the students weren’t
the concept or principle to the situation, and (d) checking expected to submit practice problems and/or assignments.
the solution [43]. Problems included in problem solving Besides, the students didn’t take routine examinations.
Appendix
Subscales of the Survey Number of the Item Cronbach’s Alpha KMO Factor Loading Range
Understanding 18 0.83 0.91 0.44 - 0.74
Planning 13 0.78 0.82 0.47 - 0.87
Solving 8 0.75 0.81 0.57 - 0.80
Checking 6 0.63 0.70 0.40 - 0.81
Total 45 0.88 0.90 0.40 - 0.87
TABLE II. Results of statistical analysis of the problem solving attitude survey.
Subscales of the Survey Number of the Item Cronbach’s Alpha KMO Factor Loading Range
Attention 19 0.87 0.92 0.41 - 0.80
Fade-Phobia 15 0.87 0.90 0.46 - 0.84
Total 34 0.88 0.92 0.41 - 0.84
Subscales of the Survey Number of the Item Cronbach’s Alpha KMO Factor Loading Range
Endeavoring 13 0.84 0.87 0.45 - 0.76
Will to work 13 0.84 0.89 0.51 - 0.75
Participating 6 0.77 0.76 0.44 - 0.70
Total 32 0.91 0.92 0.44 - 0.75
TABLE VI. Mean scores and standard deviations of pre and post assessment according to subscales.
TABLE VIII. Mean scores and standard deviations for females and males on the PAT.
TABLE IX. Mean scores and standard deviations of females and males on the PSSS.