A new approach: Computer-assisted problem-solving systems

It is remarked that computer-assisted problem solving systems are not sufficient to completely improve students’ fundamental and conceptual understanding and problem solving skills. The most important reason is that students focus on getting the correct answer by trial-and-error strategy, rather than by solving the problem in well-defined steps. IPSS (Integrated Problem Solving Steps) were developed and incorporated with a LON-CAPA sample problem to encourage students to think in an organized way even when they solve complex problems. Using the IPSS method the number of attempts for correct answers was eliminated to focus the students’ attention on getting the correct answer with the full solution. If developed, problem solving strategy steps (IPSS) can be introduced into the LON-CAPA problems, and it is expected that students will become experienced problem solvers. IPSS also can be used with other online homework software (WebAssign, WWWAssign, etc.) and adapted for all undergraduate level science and engineering courses because students need to develop critical thinking in problem solving skills. Even though it seems that this problem solving method takes up students’ time, students should spend more time and effort to engage with the problem in both conceptual and problem solving aspects. The value of this program can be useful to students of varying abilities in problem solving, from the inexperienced problem solver to the experienced problem solver. This will encourage them to transfer their skills to real world applications. From these results and students’ perceptions, the author concludes that students should be taught both concepts and problem solving skills clearly if we want students to be proficient at both, and IPSS seems to be a means to perform this idea.