Part 1 Crafting Authentic Physics Problems
Crafting authentic physics problems for PBL involves immersing students in real-world scenarios where they apply physics concepts to address complex challenges. These problems should resonate with students by incorporating everyday experiences or contemporary issues, making the learning experience more engaging and relevant. By embracing a multidisciplinary approach and encouraging collaboration, students gain a holistic understanding of how physics intersects with other fields and learn to navigate diverse problem-solving contexts.
Problems should be open-ended, requiring students to explore multiple solutions and develop both quantitative and qualitative problem-solving skills. The incorporation of authentic data, technology tools, and current events enhances the realism of the problems, fostering critical thinking and emphasising the dynamic nature of physics in addressing societal issues. Ultimately, crafting authentic physics problems for problem-based learning aims to empower students with the skills needed to apply their knowledge to real-world situations, promoting a deeper and more enduring understanding of physics concepts. To create genuine physics problems for problem-based learning, consider these helpful guidelines to ensure problems are both challenging and authentic.
| Elements | Descriptions |
| Real-world Context | To engage students, it’s helpful to present problems in a real-world context they can connect with. One approach considers problems or issues related to their daily experiences, technological advancements, or current scientific research. By doing so, students can better relate to the problem and be motivated to find a solution. |
| Multidisciplinary Approach | Combining knowledge from multiple disciplines is often helpful to make problem-solving more realistic. Physics intersects with various fields such as engineering, biology, environmental science, mathematics, technology, and others. Taking a multidisciplinary problem-solving approach allows us to reflect on real-world scenarios’ complexities better. |
| Application of Physics Concepts | To effectively solve a physics problem, it is essential to identify whether the problem necessitates the application of specific fundamental physics concepts. This process involves a comprehensive understanding of key topics such as motion, forces, energy, electricity, magnetism, optics, thermodynamics, and others. Selecting concepts that align with the learning objectives of the course will facilitate a more constructive approach to problem-solving, ultimately leading to improved outcomes. |
| Problem Variety | To foster a well-rounded problem-solving ability among students, offering various problem types comprising quantitative and qualitative problems is essential. This approach develops their physics, mathematical, and science-related skills and enhances their conceptual understanding. |
| Open-ended Nature | Encourage multiple solutions and interpretations by formulating open-ended problems. This approach nurtures critical thinking and creativity, empowering individuals to approach and solve problems with a constructive mindset. |
| Collaboration | Creating design challenges that require students to work collaboratively can provide a valuable learning experience. Such challenges mimic real-world situations where diverse teams tackle complex problems. |
| Authentic Data | Consider incorporating genuine data into the problem to add authenticity and depth. This may entail utilising measurements, experimental findings, or data from scientific research. Examining and interpreting authentic data can significantly enhance the practicality of the problem |
| Incorporate Technology | Incorporating technology tools and simulations is one way to make learning more engaging and authentic. By utilising virtual labs, simulations, and modelling software, students can have a more interactive and realistic experience that can help them better understand and apply concepts. |
| Current Events | Consider incorporating current events or recent scientific breakthroughs into the problem statement. This approach can make the problem more meaningful and emphasise the ever-evolving nature of physics as a discipline. |
| Address Societal Issues | One way to make physics more meaningful is to explore how it can address societal challenges. For example, we can consider how physics can contribute to sustainable energy, environmental conservation, or healthcare. By doing so, we can better appreciate the impact of physics on society and inspire students to pursue solutions to real-world problems. |
| Students Engagement | It is essential to tailor the problems to their interests and backgrounds to enhance student engagement and involvement in their learning. By personalising the context, students can easily relate to the problems and feel more motivated to learn. |
Following these guidelines can create physics challenges that help learners learn and understand the subject better. These challenges will engage the learner’s analytical reasoning skills and enable them to comprehend the topic comprehensively.
Example of crafting problem using this guidelines in real-world context:
- Problem: A rollercoaster ride is being designed for a theme park. The engineers need to calculate the minimum height of the first hill to ensure the ride generates enough speed to complete a loop safely.
- Physics Concepts: Energy conservation, potential and kinetic energy, circular motion.
- Open-Ended: Students can explore different designs, consider safety margins, and discuss real-world constraints such as material limits and passenger comfort.
Example of crafting problem using this guidelines in multidisciplinary approach:
- Problem: Design a solar-powered house that minimizes energy consumption while maintaining comfortable living conditions. Consider different locations with varying climates.
- Physics Concepts: Thermodynamics, energy efficiency, solar energy, heat transfer.
- Cross-disciplinary: This problem would integrate environmental science, engineering, and possibly even economics as students calculate cost-effectiveness.
