Problem solving in science and the laboratory involves a generative process where potential, multiple solutions are developed. The exploratory phase consists of evaluating these multiple options and selecting the best one. The creative phase is the first one (corresponds to hypothesis development) and the critical thinking phase is the exploratory one where the way to test that hypothesis is developed and implemented. Science students need to understand certain facts, concepts, strategies and procedures and may even need to address their beliefs about their ability to solve the problem in order to be able to solve a problem successfully.
Wendy Carter
I love this line from the second article: "Dr. Dunne paces in front of his section of first-year college students, today not as their Bio 110 teacher but in the role of facilitator in their monthly “invention session.”" That says it all: the teacher has set up his class to do exactly what they need to do as professionals: solve problems. As information is more and more readily available, the process of using it effectively becomes more and more important to teaching. I believe our primary purpose as teachers is this concept of transfer: building in our students the capacity to use their skills across disciplines, spaces, venues, problems and tasks. In other words, teaching students how to think so that they can do that as needed. I agree with you that we need to place more emphasis on examining strategies and models for doing so.
ReplyDeleteI am a huge fan of Avery Pickford's mathematics teaching blog. He is working with elementary school students and getting really brave, inventive, high level stuff out of them using a problem solving approach. He begins the year teaching the kids how to ask the right questions to get themselves on a problems solving path and how to reflect on if their path is working or not.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.withoutgeometry.com/
This is a brilliant list of "strategies and models" (as Brandon listed above) for creating great math thinkers and problem solvers. Most could be applied across curriculums.
Deletehttp://www.withoutgeometry.com/2010/09/habits-of-mind.html
Oooo...I have since learned that Mr. Pickford would highly dislike my use of the language "problem solving" above. You see, problem solving implies that there must be a solution. To him, this rules out all of the amazing learning that can happen while wrestling with a problem, whether or not an effective solution is reached and carried out. He vastly prefers "habits of mind."
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