Problem Solving
.63 effect size, Hattie
"Problem solving teaching is an approach to problem solving where the focus in on the process of determining what's needed to solve a problem and how to go about finding the most efficient solution. When using this strategy, teachers should take care not to spoon-feed students formulas and all steps to solve a problem, but rather let them struggle productively to make their own evaluations and judgments. As both a rigorous and relevant approach to problem solving, this strategy is most effective for deeper learning and after surface knowledge has been mastered." Bold School, Kieschnick, p174.
Quick Tips:
Steps:
Model problem solving without the solution.
Present students with new, but similiar problems/issues.
Discuss real world issues and explore student interests/positions.
Set them free to problem solve.
Resist the urge to give answers. Allow students to struggle productively.
Provide rounds of spaced intervention.
Problem solving teaching is most effective after base knowledge has been mastered.
Instructional Technology Tools:
Google Workspace Tools (Docs, Slides, Sheets, Forms)
Screencastify
Additional Resources:
Videos
Teach Kids Better Problem Solving (TedX Talks, 2018)
Lack of Problem Solving Skills (Broken Escalator, 2007)
Articles
Letting students be "stuck" and work to get "unstuck" (Mills & Kim, 2022)
Inquiry Based Activity (Google Slides)