Problem solving

• Explicitly teach a systematic, expert-like problem-solving strategy based on the Minnesota 5-step problem-solving stategy.
• Explicitly discuss the "Physics idea" for different problems and students work exercises about identifying the ideas.
• Teach a diagram to go with each physics idea that helps visualize the math.
• Model the problem-solving strategy in all examples done in class.
• Students regularly work in groups on context-rich "real world" problems in class using a problem solving template.
• Shopping Cart
• Lost in Space
• This Old Well
• Students encouraged to use the strategy when working on web-based homework.