Differences in the Use of Heuristics When a Sixth Grader Solves a Problem

The purpose of this study is to look at the use of heuristics when a sixth grader solves a problem. Two research questions have been formulated: The similarities and differences in the use of heuristics when a student solves two problems that are science-knowledge-based and not science-knowledge-based, and the different types of prompts. A male sixth grade student participated in this study. All of the information for the study was collected in three interviews. The interviews began with observing the student's solving problems. The student was asked how and why he solved problem that way. There were some interactions between the researcher and the student during the interview procedures. As results of this study, eight general heuristics were used in both solutions: Check examples for support of an idea: check examples for exceptions to an idea: restate the problem: compare to known examples or patterns: make a hypothesis; check the relevance of other information present; use analogy: and recognize patterns/similarity. There seemed to be more similarities than differences in the type of general heuristic that were used in the two problem solutions. The student was systematic and consistent in his use of the general use of heuristics. Five types of interviewer prompts were detected in the two problem solutions, directional cues, modeling, clarity, problem posing, metacognition and validation.