Examining of the non-routine problem-solving skills of prospective science teachers as part of the understand the problem and the solution plan

Abstract

Today, looking at the goals of the training programs, we are faced with a set of skills called the 21st Century skills. These skills are critically important to success in today’s world. One of these skills is to solve the problem and one of the best practices for implementing 21st Century Skills is Problem-Based Learning. However, types of problems referred to here are non-routine problem. In this study, problem-solving skills of the teachers were investigated. For this purpose, a total of 56 prospective science teachers studying in Uludag University have been included in the study. Students were given two different non-routine science problems. The first of the problems has two variables and the second has three variables. Evaluations were made according to Polya’s first two steps. Students were asked to write clearly, what they understand from the problem and what should be done in order to find the solution. The data gathered from students was coded and interpreted using descriptive analysis. The findings showed that they were partially successful to solve the two-variables problem, but they failed to solve the three-variables problem.

Keywords: Non routine problem, problem-solving skills, prospective science teachers.