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Solving of quantitative physics tasks - selected sub-skills and how to teach them

Publication at Faculty of Mathematics and Physics |
2015

Abstract

Solving of quantitative physics tasks is one of the teaching techniques used very often not only at Czech high schools. However, students often face many obstacles when solving physics tasks.

Our previous research focused on students' perception of problem solving process in physics shows that equations are the most important aspect of solving quantitative physics tasks for students. Thus, the solving of quantitative tasks often turns into nearly mindless manipulation with the equations and the main aim for students is getting a number as a result of the tasks.

Unfortunately, with such an approach, the deeper understanding of the physics context as well as the developing of problem solving skills is disappearing. For this reason, we prepared seven activities oriented on improvement of students' problem solving skills.

Each activity consists of methodical materials for teachers (with activity description independent of particular topic) and examples of worksheets for students that were prepared according to needs of teachers participating in a pilot study. The activities are focused on selected parts of the problem solving process.

In this paper, we present the activity concentrated on creation of a problem solving plan. Participants of our workshop at GIREP-MPTL 2014 Conference had an opportunity to try this activity on their own.

Findings gained from the workshop are also discussed in the paper.