Cognitive Processes and Knowledge Structures Used in Solving Physics Problems

摘要

The goal of the research has been to understand the cognitive processes and knowledge structures which are used in solving physics problems at the high school or college freshman level. Understanding of these cognitive processes and knowledge structures can enable computer programs to be written which can solve problems in physics and related technical domains automatically, without requiring that users of such programs be expert in physics. Second, it can enable more effective teaching of physics, since the component processes of physics problem solving are made explicit. Finally, it can provide the basis for intelligent computer-aided instruction (CAI) programs which understand the problem solving process, can answer questions about solutions of example problems, and can analyze failures in student problem solving. In the following sections, the authors discuss their work on knowledge representation, problem analysis, and machine learning of problem solving expertise.