How do engineering students solve physics problems

• Main Author: Anito, Jovito C., Jr.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2011
• Subjects: Physics—Study and teaching; Problem-based learning; Engineering students; Science and Mathematics Education
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/6921
• Institution: De La Salle University

This paper employs Classic Grounded Theory to explore how engineering students solve Physics problems. Six engineering students enrolled in Physics 213 (Electricity and Magnetism) were sampled. The data gathered from these samples includes field notes, retrospective unstructured interview, and solution sheets. Playing with equations emerged as the core category. It was further saturated and defined, grounded on data. Playing with equations is solving problems entirely by manipulating equations. To wit, it is a problem solving strategy that involves identifying applicable equations, identifying or deriving the suitable equation, and verifying answers by trial and error. Literature describes it as a strategy of novice problem solvers, strongly dominated by procedural knowledge. In effect, the process of solving problems is entirely algorithmic. The role of the problem solver employing this strategy is to scout for the best equation to solve the problem and plug the given variables and/or constant values to obtain the correct answer. This paper then reports a grounded elaboration of the problem in solving Physics problems, specifically in engineering education. Result shows that engineering students solve problems according to their mastery of equations. Result further shows that the strategy fails in practice.