Development of Interactive Problem Solving Tutorials

本计画的目标是证明使用电脑来帮助学生学习解决物理问题的有效技巧的可行性。这是通过构建一套计算机教程来帮助学生提高解决问题的能力来实现的。本辅导课的设计借鉴了前人的研究成果，即如何有效地教授学生解决问题的技巧，并利用计算机为学生提供个性化的指导和反馈。这些教程：(1)互动性强，(2)明确有效解决问题所需的思维过程，(3)采用改进的互惠教学策略，让学生练习有效解决问题所需的基本认知功能(即决定一个行动，实施该行动，评估结果),(4)在精心的教学设计基础上为学生提供个性化的指导和反馈(5)足够灵活，以适应不同学生解决问题可能选择的多种解决方案路径。这个项目展示了如何利用技术来改善教育，为学生提供(1)更多的互动和个性化的指导，(2)在课堂外接受有效指导的机会，以及(3)获得其他形式的教学。这对于那些标准教学不够的学生来说尤其重要。

The goal of this project is to demonstrate the feasibility of using computers to help students learn effective problem solving skills for solving physics problems. This is accomplished by constructing a set of computer tutorials to help students improve their problem solving performance. The tutorial design draws on prior research on teaching students effective problem solving skills and using computers to provide students with individualized guidance and feedback. These tutorials:(1) are highly interactive,(2) make explicit the thought processes necessary for effective problem solving,(3) use a modified reciprocal-teaching strategy to give students practice in the basic cognitive functions necessary for effective problem solving (i.e., deciding on an action, implementing that action, and assessing the result),(4) provide students with individualized guidance and feedback based on careful instructional design(5) be flexible enough to accommodate the multiple solutions paths different students might choose for solving a problem.This project demonstrates how technology can be used to improve education by providing students with (1) more interactive and individualized instruction, (2) opportunities to receive effective instruction outside the classroom, and (3) access to alternative forms of instruction. This can be especially important to students for whom standard instruction is insufficient.