Physics problem solving: Selecting more successful and less successful problem solvers

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to identify criteria in selecting more successful and less successful students in physics problem solving. The focus of the study is to see if more successful problem solvers are more metacognitive in their approaches and, if so, what this differences look like. This study consisted of 21 students, which all had a physics background at the university level. All of the respondents solved four physics problems in a physics pencil and paper test while talking aloud. In the meantime, each of the respondents were videotaped. Interviews were conducted right after the test. During the interview, the respondent's written answer to each of the problems were shown and the respondent were asked to discuss what they remember of their thinking when solving that problem. Written answers from physics task were marked according to the schema. As a conclusion, this study used performance as criteria in selecting more successful and less successful students in physics problem solving.