Students’ Problem-Solving Skill in Physics Teaching with Virtual Labs

Abstract

Problem-solving is a high-level ability to find solution to a problem. In the problem-solving process, students have to identify and understand the problems, plan the solutions, execute the plans and review the resolution process. This ability is needed by students to produce meaningful knowledge. This article discusses the effect of virtual labs in physics learning toward student’s problem-solving abilities. The improvement of problem-solving skills was analyzed in each step of the solution process. This quasi-experimental study was conducted at three different senior high schools. There were 165 students participating in this study, all of whom were divided into three experimental groups and three control groups. The research instrument used was five to eight questions of essay test. The results showed that the problem-solving ability of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group at each school. The analysis of each problem-solving step showed that, in each school, the students' ability to identify and define the problem and also to establish goals and objectives show a similar result. Students have an excellent ability in identifying problem up to plan for problem-solving, whereas for the step of analyzing the choice of ideas and step to follow up of problem-solving overall still need to be improved. Students who are unable to complete a particular problem-solving step will not be able to complete the next step well.