Symbol system translation as a problem-solving construct¶

Theory · All theories
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

The review proposes translation among symbol systems as a construct: the process of mapping information contained in one or more symbolic forms into one or more other symbolic forms. It states two prerequisites, "adequate domain knowledge (declarative and procedural), and (b) experience", and assumes mappings are not one-to-one and that individual differences allow different symbolic paths to a solution. The construct is meant to explain why solvers with adequate knowledge fail novel problems whose given symbolic form does not admit a ready solution.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Adequate domain knowledge (declarative and procedural) and experience are prerequisites for translation

Constraints¶

• The review notes the construct has not been directly researched to date and that the symbolic encoding specificity hypothesis applied to multiple symbol systems has not been linked to instruction

Target Learners¶

• elementary and secondary students solving novel subject-matter problems

Target Learning Objectives¶

• problem solving requiring transformation between symbolic representations

Claims¶

Related Theories¶

• Symbol systems framework: symbols, symbol systems, and symbolic products

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Shavelson, Richard J.; Webb, Noreen M.; Lehman, Penny. (1986). The Role of Symbol Systems in Problem Solving: A Literature Review. CSE Report No. 269. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED338680