Improving physics problem solving skills of students of Somanya Senior High Secondary Technical School in the Yilo Krobo District of Eastern Region of Ghana

Abstract

The main objective of the study was to improve the problem solving skills of physics students and for that matter increase their interest in physics and science at large. The main instrument used to collect data was test items. The test items consisted of pre-test and post-test items. A population of 16 students was involved in the study. Duration of four week's intervention plan with the class using an innovative method of teaching problem solving strategy was employed. The data collected from pre-test and post-test were analyzed using frequency counts and percentages. The post-test analysis manifested that there had been an improvement in the way students solve physics problems. The perception of the students that physics is too difficult appeared to have waned. Students who once feared solving physics problems now ask for more exercises and assignments after the lesson has been taught.

Key words: Physics problem solving skills, West African Examinations Council, metacognition, heuristics, Competent Problem Solver Method, understanding basic mechanics method, experts and novices' approach to problem solving, action research.