Structured Rational Thinking as a Resource to Design a Binding Case of Physics with Engineering

Abstract

Designing Engineering Cases contributes to learning Physics principles. This involves a method derived from Structured Rational Thinking. The research objectives were: analyze the design process of the Case by the SRJU model: structure, review, judges validation, students evaluation, with the dimensions of: clarity, coherence, relevance, sufficiency. It was described the relationship of rational thinking with the SRJU model. The first stage consisted of theoretically basing pedagogy related with rational thought of ancient Greece; Secondly, was developed the test design through an interaction matrix for order and interpret data that reflect level of conceptualization, according to types of structured thought: logical, methodical, narrative; For each type, dimensions of content, purpose and structure are evaluated, through an essay of the designed Case and Socratic dialogue implemented; with a sample of a control and experimental group of 45 students. To measure the impact of understanding, three levels considered: little, moderate and a lot; each level related to a type of rational thinking with its dimensions, coded with an ordinal scale from 1 to 3. A summary table was constructed for identifying type of thought in student's interpretation when wrote and discussed the Case. In the third stage, the results of validation and evaluation showed optimal levels of relevance and sufficiency; with coincidences in acceptable assessments that the Case is not totally coherent with a linear reality but complex.  Conclusion, the SRJU model is effective to design Cases due to its processes derived from rational thought, which also may improve understanding.