As Instructors we have several tools available to us. We could use role playing, case studies or guided problem solutions to help students improve their analytical skills. To me it seems that all of these have a common element of "practice" or "experience building" in the use of a problem solving process. In a role play or a a guided problem solution a student to led to a solution set and learns to think through some critical cause and effect elements. The key to developing Analytical and Problem Solving skills seems to be practicing and building experience within a relevant subject area. More experience and more knowledge about a subject will give you a broader internal library of potential solutions to draw upon. Therefore, as an instructor I need to add activities to my classes that will require my students to solve problems and include enough structure to ensure that they are successful.
Laura,
Role playing with multiple related scenarios is an excellent instructional method. This gives the students a multi-dimensional understanding of the many components involved. Veery nice. Thank you for sharing.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I use role playing and give different scenarios to students. I present the procedures in different ways so students can analize the different situations and come up with the best one or a different way that fits their needs without jeopardizing the quality of care.
Developing analytical skills in learners may include breaking down the analysis task into component parts and practicing those skills or tasks individually. For example having a critical mind is part of analyzing. To develop that skill, students could read and analyze news items and articles to determine if bias exists. Ensuring data accuracy is another part of analysis. Students could practice this by locating other sources of information on the same topic and corroborating information. Finding themes or trends is another important part of analysis. Student could be introduced to some common trend types then practice finding those trends in data. Reporting is an important part of analysis. After analysis, students can learn to summarize and present findings in effective ways that make next actions clear for stakeholders.
Michalina ,
Yes it can be. Do you see the group logistics providing any barriers to the analytic process?
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
A great way of facilitating analiytical skills is group work, the problem does not matter in the exercise rather the focus is how the group works in solving the possible solutions.
Sandra,
There are very many that do precisely that.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Any hands on exercise will help to develop analytical skills in most individuals.
Deb,
This seems like a great analytic exercise. Thanks for sharing.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
In Excel, we have examples of spreadsheets that contain different types of errors. Students are given a description of what the spreadsheet is supposed to be accomplishing for the user. Students need to compare the existing formulas to what the objective is. Then they need to make corrections so the spreadsheet elements meet all of the goals.
Said,
This seems like it would be a very engaging activity, as well as possibly very tasty. Thanks for sharing.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I typically give them recipe ingredients without their respective amounts or methods of cooking and have them think about in class as an excercise. Then we go over the entire recipe with all items and their amounts as a group.
Miriam,
Appropriate application of previously learned knowledge is a terrific skill with which to begin developing analytical skills. As the instructor, you have the opportunity to guide as you add factors to the situation being analyzed. This guided engagement can be quite effective. Very good. Thank you.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Before working with patients, my students continue to develop their analytical skills by apply their previously learned knowledge to the study of case based scenarios, in which the student must take the information I provide about a fictitious patient and determine what, if any, medically compromising issues will affect the outcome of patient treatment.
Bernabe,
Your passion for excellence and continually working to have each student expand their thinking capacities is a tremendous value to your students and the institution for which you facilitate classes. Keep up the great work.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
In every discussion, I always give them "Case Scenarios" where all the facts are stated, and an outcome (sometimes more than one possibility) is required for them to figure out. It gives them a way to practice analysis and figure out a way or two to effectively and efficiently perform a surgical procedure. It keeps them on their toes and give them a sense of what is in-store for them when they get to the Operating Room, that there will be times when what the book says will not work, and they have to quickly figure out a way to make things work.
Keith,
Yes, I agree. Are there any especially successful instructional techniques you have used with such exercises that you would like to share with this forum? Thank you for your contributions.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Create problem solving exercises.
Linh ,
Role playing can be a tremendous asset in the instructional environment when used in these carefully thought out strategies. Nicely done.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
In order facitlitate the development of analytical skills in my students, I have them do different case study "patients". They are given different "patients" and have to come up with treatment modifications based on that patient's health/dental history and current problems. When they are in clinic, they actually were working on each other, one as the operator and one as the patient. The ones who were patients actually had some good scenarios for the "hygienist" to consider for their treatment. And then vice versa. This role play gives the student the ability to develop their analytica skills, which are pratical and theoretical.
