Effects of problem characteristics, capturing problem structure and using analogies on high school students’ success on problem-solving

Abstract

This study analyses the influence of academic level, academic itinerary, word problem’s context and structure, capturing problem structure, and using analogies on problem-solving. A factorial design was used with one within-subjects variable and several between-subjects variables, which have been selected depending on the hypothesis in question. Two types of booklets containing two word problems and questions about capturing problem structure and using analogies in problem solving, were administered to a total of 181 grade-10 and grade-12 students. The results of non-parametric statistical tests showed that: a) Academic level and academic itinerary are decisive variables in problem solving, b) Capturing problem structure is needed to solve problems, but the use of analogies is not needed, and c) Problems increase in difficulty when they have complex structure and low familiarity context.

Keywords

• didáctica de las ciencias
• resolución de problemas
• contexto y estructura
• analogías