Using Isomorphic Problems to Learn Introductory Physics

TL;DR

This study investigates how introductory physics students use analogical reasoning with isomorphic problems, revealing that while they learn from solved problems, they often struggle to correctly apply underlying principles, indicating a need for better scaffolding.

Contribution

It provides empirical evidence on students' difficulties with applying physics principles across isomorphic problems and explores scaffolding strategies to improve understanding.

Findings

Most students learned from solved problems with scaffolding

Students often misapply physics principles in quiz problems

Additional scaffolding is necessary for correct application

Abstract

In this study, we examine introductory physics students' ability to perform analogical reasoning between two isomorphic problems which employ the same underlying physics principles but have different surface features. Three hundred and sixty two students from a calculus-based and an algebra-based introductory physics course were given a quiz in the recitation in which they had to first learn from a solved problem provided and take advantage of what they learned from it to solve another problem (which we call the quiz problem) which was isomorphic. Previous research suggests that the multiple-concept quiz problem is challenging for introductory students. Students in different recitation classes received different interventions in order to help them discern and exploit the underlying similarities of the isomorphic solved and quiz problems. We also conducted think-aloud interviews with four introductory students in order to understand in-depth the difficulties they had and explore strategies to provide better scaffolding. We found that most students were able to learn from the solved problem to some extent with the scaffolding provided and invoke the relevant principles in the quiz problem. However, they were not necessarily able to apply the principles correctly. Research suggests that more scaffolding is needed to help students in applying these principles appropriately. We outline a few possible strategies for future investigation.