Students' exploration strategies in computer-simulated complex problem environments: A latent class approach

in Computers and Education (2018), 126

Complex problem solving (CPS) is considered an important educational achievement indicator. Previous research has indicated that CPS performance depends to a substantial extent on the way students explore ... [more ▼]

Complex problem solving (CPS) is considered an important educational achievement indicator. Previous research has indicated that CPS performance depends to a substantial extent on the way students explore problem environments. In this study, we investigated qualitative differences in the way students interact with such environments. In a sample of N = 2226 Hungarian students in Grades 6 to 8, we applied a latent class approach to investigate the use of the principle of isolated variation as an exploration strategy across six CPS tasks that were developed within the MicroDYN approach. Six qualitatively different class profiles emerged: proficient explorers, intermediate explorers, low-performing explorers, rapid learners, emerging explorers, and nonpersisting explorers. We further validated the profiles by comparing the latent classes with regard to students' overall CPS performance and additional indicators of task exploration. In analyzing age-related and gender differences on a cross-sectional level, we found only a small progression toward better performing class profiles from Grade 6 to Grade 8 (e.g., 14.6% of students in Grade 6 were proficient explorers vs. 24.6% in Grade 8; 27.1% of students in Grade 6 were low-performing explorers vs. 25.8% in Grade 8), and there were no substantial gender differences. This study contributes to the understanding of how students interact with complex problems and is the first to address whether variations in these behaviors indicate qualitatively different levels of strategic behavior. We discuss the theoretical underpinnings and potential of identifying class profiles of students' exploration behavior in the field of educational psychology. [less ▲]

Inductive reasoning, domain specific and complex problem solving: relations and development

in Thinking Skills and Creativity (2013), 9

This paper focuses on three different types of reasoning: domain-specific problem solving, complex (general) problem solving, and inductive reasoning. The objective of the study is to examine the ... [more ▼]

This paper focuses on three different types of reasoning: domain-specific problem solving, complex (general) problem solving, and inductive reasoning. The objective of the study is to examine the differences in the developmental levels of inductive reasoning, domainspecific problem solving, and complex problem solving between three age groups and to describe the relations between the three constructs. The sample was drawn from 3rd to 11th grade students (aged 9–17) in Hungarian primary and secondary schools. There were 300–400 students in each cohort. The internal consistencies of the tests were good: Chronbach ˛ varied between .72 and .95. Each of the skills showed a developmental tendency that could be identified with a logistic curve. In every area the pace of development proved to be relatively slow and the steepest change took place in Grade 7. The bivariate correlations between the three constructs were moderate ranging from .35 to .44 signalling that they do not constitute the same construct. The strength of the relationships between inductive reasoning and complex problem solving proved to be the most stable over time. The correlations between domain-specific and complex problem solving showed an increasing trend over time indicating that the strategies used in different problem solving situations become more similar with age. This study provides evidence that inductive reasoning, domainspecific problem solving and complex problem solving are related but distinct constructs and these skills can be fostered most efficiently between Grades 6 and 8. [less ▲]

Complex Problem Solving in educational contexts. Assessment, measurement invariance, and construct validity

Scientific Conference (2012, August 29)

Measuring adults' dynamic problem solving competency

Scientific Conference (2011, September)