PHYSICS PROBLEM SOLVING

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THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS
Many features of the Physics 1041/1042 course design and the cooperative groups
result directly from fundamental research in problem solving and cooperative learning.
This section presents a summary of research and practice in physics problem solving and
cooperative learning.
Problem Solving Strategy
Perhaps Morton Hunt (1982) gave the most concise definition of problem solving:
"A person is confronted with a problem when he wants something and does not know
immediately what series of actions he can perform to get it" (p. 236). This definition
suggests several things about problem solving. Problem solving is a process, consists of
a series of steps, and the problem solver is involved in constructing the solution. Much
of the research on problem solving has proceeded with this kind of an operational
definition. The research on physics problem solving has evolved over the last twenty
years. Initial work on the acquisition of general problem-solving knowledge and
problem-solving skills progressed to problem solving in general, mathematics problem
solving, and finally problem solving in areas like physics.
(^) Early Research in Problem Solving
In their classic work Human Problem Solving, Herbert A. Simon and Allen
Newell (1970) summarized the "information processing model" approach to human
problem solving. First, one perceives the raw data and processes these perceptions far
enough to recognize the problem context. Next, the solver makes a mental representation
of the problem. This is an interpretation of what the goal is, where the solver is in