Problem Solving Approach: Computer vs. Textbook

POSTER

Abstract

Given the abundant use of worked examples and problems as learning material in physics textbooks, it is appropriate to investigate methods of implementing them in the classroom. In particular, a version of the textbook worked examples and problems implemented on a computer with auto-grading and recording features, would allow instructors to track which students complete the computer versions. In addition, computers offer interactivity, which is not practical with the inherent constraints of the textbook implementation. This study seeks to compare student performance in solving physics problems in two separate formats: computer and textbook. Each problem was preceded by a related worked example in the same format. T-tests reveal no significant differences in mean performance between the two groups. However, error analysis denoted significant differences in the group correlations to error type, which prompted the approach analysis to be undertaken. The results of this study will be presented.

Authors

  • Evan Richards

    North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC

  • J. Deng

    US Naval Observatory, University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, College of William and Mary, US Army Research Office, Brimrose Corporation of America, Hampton University, Department of Physics, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh, Department of Physics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Physics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, Department of Physics, Korea University, Seoul, Korea, Department of Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, Department of Physics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, North Carolina State University and WebAssign, Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, Broughton High School, Raleigh, NC, University of Wisconsin at Whitewater, Whitewater, WI, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Department of Physics, University of West Virginia - Chemistry Dept., ORNL, Old Dominion University, University of West Virginia Department of Chemistry, Clemson University, South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics, College of Charleston, Rice University, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, Ohio State University, Wright State University, Yale U, JINR, Dubna, Univ. Fed. do Rio de Janeiro, Vanderbilt Univ./JIHIR(ORNL)/Tsinghua Univ., NSCL(MSU), LLNL, LBNL, Vanderbilt Univ./LBNL/JIHIR(ORNL), Vanderbilt Univ., Jagellonian University, University of Bonn, North Carolina A{\&T} State University, North Carolina Central University, Duke University and TUNL

  • J. Deng

    US Naval Observatory, University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, College of William and Mary, US Army Research Office, Brimrose Corporation of America, Hampton University, Department of Physics, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh, Department of Physics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Physics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, Department of Physics, Korea University, Seoul, Korea, Department of Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, Department of Physics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, North Carolina State University and WebAssign, Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, Broughton High School, Raleigh, NC, University of Wisconsin at Whitewater, Whitewater, WI, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Department of Physics, University of West Virginia - Chemistry Dept., ORNL, Old Dominion University, University of West Virginia Department of Chemistry, Clemson University, South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics, College of Charleston, Rice University, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, Ohio State University, Wright State University, Yale U, JINR, Dubna, Univ. Fed. do Rio de Janeiro, Vanderbilt Univ./JIHIR(ORNL)/Tsinghua Univ., NSCL(MSU), LLNL, LBNL, Vanderbilt Univ./LBNL/JIHIR(ORNL), Vanderbilt Univ., Jagellonian University, University of Bonn, North Carolina A{\&T} State University, North Carolina Central University, Duke University and TUNL

  • J. Deng

    US Naval Observatory, University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, College of William and Mary, US Army Research Office, Brimrose Corporation of America, Hampton University, Department of Physics, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh, Department of Physics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Physics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, Department of Physics, Korea University, Seoul, Korea, Department of Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, Department of Physics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, North Carolina State University and WebAssign, Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, Broughton High School, Raleigh, NC, University of Wisconsin at Whitewater, Whitewater, WI, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Department of Physics, University of West Virginia - Chemistry Dept., ORNL, Old Dominion University, University of West Virginia Department of Chemistry, Clemson University, South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics, College of Charleston, Rice University, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, Ohio State University, Wright State University, Yale U, JINR, Dubna, Univ. Fed. do Rio de Janeiro, Vanderbilt Univ./JIHIR(ORNL)/Tsinghua Univ., NSCL(MSU), LLNL, LBNL, Vanderbilt Univ./LBNL/JIHIR(ORNL), Vanderbilt Univ., Jagellonian University, University of Bonn, North Carolina A{\&T} State University, North Carolina Central University, Duke University and TUNL

  • J. Deng

    US Naval Observatory, University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, College of William and Mary, US Army Research Office, Brimrose Corporation of America, Hampton University, Department of Physics, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh, Department of Physics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Physics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, Department of Physics, Korea University, Seoul, Korea, Department of Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, Department of Physics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, North Carolina State University and WebAssign, Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, Broughton High School, Raleigh, NC, University of Wisconsin at Whitewater, Whitewater, WI, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Department of Physics, University of West Virginia - Chemistry Dept., ORNL, Old Dominion University, University of West Virginia Department of Chemistry, Clemson University, South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics, College of Charleston, Rice University, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, Ohio State University, Wright State University, Yale U, JINR, Dubna, Univ. Fed. do Rio de Janeiro, Vanderbilt Univ./JIHIR(ORNL)/Tsinghua Univ., NSCL(MSU), LLNL, LBNL, Vanderbilt Univ./LBNL/JIHIR(ORNL), Vanderbilt Univ., Jagellonian University, University of Bonn, North Carolina A{\&T} State University, North Carolina Central University, Duke University and TUNL