Identification of the ability to solve the problem of contextual physics possessed by prospective physics teachers related to basic physics content

Abstract

This study aims to get an idea of the ability to solve the problem of contextual physics possessed by prospective physics teachers. The research method used is quantitative descriptive. The research subjects were 30 prospective physics teachers (27 women and 3 men) at one of the private universities in South Sulawesi Province. The instrument used for data collection is a test of the ability to solve contextual physics problems consisting of 10 items in the form of essays and problem-solving worksheets with 5 items. The use of problem-solving worksheets that include the stages of solving physical problems namely describing the problem, physical concepts, analyzing the relationship between related physical variables, representing applicable mathematics, constraints according to the problem, execution, and the results of logistical evaluation of problem-solving. The results of the study show that: 1) most students of prospective physics teachers who are the subjects of research have problem-solving abilities in the low category, 2) there is no gender bias in the ability to solve contextual physical problems. The low ability to solve the contextual problem of physics is thought to be closely related to the basic physics lecture process which is held less train the ability to solve the contextual problems.