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Helping students become proficient problem solvers Part I: A brief review

Physics Education 2023-05-30 v3

Abstract

Understanding issues involved in expertise in physics problem solving is important for helping students become good problem solvers. In part 1 of this article, we summarize the research on problem-solving relevant for physics education across three broad categories: knowledge organization, information processing and cognitive load, and metacognition and problem-solving heuristics. We also discuss specific strategies discussed in the literature for promoting development of problem-solving skills in physics. This review article can be valuable in helping instructors develop students' problem-solving, reasoning, and metacognitive skills in physics and other related disciplines. Additionally, this review article is relevant across educational contexts in countries that may have different educational paradigms and challenges.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2304.05588,
  title  = {Helping students become proficient problem solvers Part I: A brief review},
  author = {Alexandru Maries and Chandralekha Singh},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2304.05588},
  year   = {2023}
}

Comments

21 pages

R2 v1 2026-06-28T10:01:03.099Z