An Investigation on the Comparison of Context Based and Traditional Physics Problems

The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of context based and traditional physics problems comparatively. First of all, we reviewed the literature and assigned some criteria in order to prepare context based problems, and developed two different tests as context based and traditional based physics tests based on the described criteria. Secondly these tests were applied to 30 high school students. Also we held an interview with randomly selected five students in order to determine the views of students about the differences between these two different tests. A semi-structured interview form was used in this interview process. Finally, we used a paired-samples t test in order to compare students’ achievements scores on these two different tests. Content analysis method was performed to analysis qualitative data collected through interviews. Study findings showed that there was no significant difference between students’ context based and traditional test scores. However, students appreciated context based problems more understandable, concrete and interesting than traditional ones.