Perception and behavior of high school students towards developing problem solving and creativity skills to solve physics assignments

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the learning approaches and preferences of high school students in Vietnam when studying physics. A survey was completed by 2,040 students from ten different schools on improving problem-solving and creativity skills to solve physics assignments. The survey included eight topics related to homework, exchange, problem-solving tactics, and an emphasis on real-life applications of physics concepts. The results showed that the majority of students preferred essay-style calculus homework and sometimes exchanged and discussed ideas with their peers. In addition, most students focused on only some of the steps involved in solving physics problems, self-analyzed and expanded their solutions, and related the exercise content to real-life situations. The study also found that students preferred physics exercises with clear facts and suggestive questions, while a quarter of students preferred exercises with specific facts and clear questions. Furthermore, only a small percentage of students had a deep understanding of the ten core competencies outlined in the General Education Program of 2018. These findings have important implications for physics teachers in Vietnam, indicating the need for more opportunities for discussion and encouraging a comprehensive problem-solving approach. The study suggests incorporating more real-life applications of physics concepts into teaching to help students see the relevance of what they are learning.