Novice v. Expert Problem Solvers

Novices and experts approach problems very differently. Broadly speaking, distinctions between their approaches include:

Novices…	Experts…
Memorize how to solve specific problems.	Believe that you can solve most problems by memorizing only a few central principles.
Identify problems in terms of surface elements. Ex.: “This is an inclined plane problem.”	Identify problems using principles by which you can solve them. Ex.: “This is a friction and gravity problem.”
Believe that most problems are too difficult for them to solve.	Are confident that they can solve problems, work a long time before giving up, and do not believe that this is a waste of time.
Do not think about how they solve problems but instead just plow through them.	Are able and willing to evaluate their own thinking.
Move on to the next problem without considering possible connections between them or the concepts that may inform them.	After solving problems, review why the question was important, asking why the professor gave the assignment.

Related readings:

“Transforming Novice Problem Solvers Into Experts,”  Teach Talk Vol. XIII, No. 3, January/February 2001 (available on-line at http://web.mit.edu/tll/tll-library/teach-talk/transforming-novice.html).