An Operational Concept Map to Facilitate Physics Problem Solving

This paper proposes a visualization tool for supporting representation construction via constraint-based approach. A physics problem can be represented as an operational concept map (OCM) by identifying important concepts and relationships among these concepts from the problem scenario. This form of representation enables the visualization tool to assist a solver to construct a graphical, simulation-enabled concept map regarding a specific physics problem solving. To help solvers construct problem representation and validate its corresponding hypothetical relationships, an OCM integrates the organization function of concept map with hypothesis simulation capability. The application of an OCM is further introduced with a kinematics problem in order to demonstrate the features of hypothesis creations, evaluation, and revision with feedback messages.