Investigative Science Learning Environment (ISLE) is a learning system, developed based on the history and philosophy of physics and observations of the work of scientists constructing new knowledge. It engages students in learning physics through processes that physicists use in their work. The processes form the so-called ISLE cycle-a logical progression of different steps from observation to testing. Research in this thesis investigates whether the physicists do indeed use the elements of ISLE while solving problems and also follow the logic of the ISLE cycle. We approached this issue with an experimental problem that was sufficiently novel to the experts so that they could employ the reasoning that they commonly use in their work. This research project is a comparison of four different case studies. Three case studies were conducted with pairs of expert scientists and one was conducted with students, who were videotaped while solving the same problem from geometrical optics. With the help of different graphical representations of the problem solving processes of the subjects we showed that not only scientists, but also students follow the transitions of the steps present in the ISLE cycle, although the experts were considerably stronger than the students. In addition, we observed that the students' problem solving approach in time became more similar to the one of scientists. It is possible that the logic of the ISLE cycle does not only come from the practice of scientists, but is a natural, inner way to approach this type of problems which easily transfers to solving similar problems.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.