The “Wrong Tool” Problem
One of the most common challenges that students face is applying the right concept or procedure at the right time. When solving a physics problem, for example, we have to apply the right equation or equations to solve the problem. There are several kinds of mistakes we might make:
1) Not knowing the key equations. We come to the problem with a set of ideas — tools — that might be helpful. Could be we just don’t have the right tool for the job. We needed hammer, but all we have is a screwdriver and a wrench.
2) Choosing the wrong equations. This is about using the wrong tool. We have a hammer, but for some reason we’re using a screwdriver to pound the nail in.
3) Not performing the procedure correctly. We’ve got the right tool for the job, but we make a mistake in applying this tool. We have a hammer and we need to pound in a nail, but we’re holding onto the head of the hammer and using the handle to hit the nail.
Learning science can help us address each of these kinds of mistakes. But this article focuses on number (2): using the wrong tool.
The opportunity to misapply categories, concepts, and procedures comes up in almost every discipline. In science and mathematics courses, students often need to apply the right kind of analysis for a given problem. When learning languages, students have to…
