First Step in Problem-Solving
This is definitely so important. If the individual is unwilling to admit that there is a problem to be worked on, there is no use going any further, I believe. Unless you indicate the benefits of the other position.
I teach in a multicultural multi-aged group of individuals health care. They all want to be in school they say and a better life for themselves and their children. Yet when problems in life arise they fall a part and attempt to drop out of school., ie their new career they say they want. I see little to know ability to problem solve. I work with them on looking at what is it that is getting in their way of having a new life and they see it comes from poor problem solving skills and yet won't or don't break that vicious cycle. They wonder why they have what they have in their lives. Reflective looking is critical to thinking and supports Problem Solving.
Randy,
So true and so valuable in the professional development of an individual.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Lucky is the person who has one or more mentors who take the time to actively listen, thoughtfully reflect, and unobtrusively provide meaningful guidance!
I totally agree. In my field of study, there are many students who scream out for help, silently…. Students (people) do not like to be labeled (exposed). It is the responsibility of the educator to use creative thinking techniques to identify and address sensitive issue without embarrassment to the persons involved. Students want to know how to work through issues by understanding (identify), work through the issue, and resolve the problem. Learning creative thinking skill will benefit throughout life.
Mary
As a teacher I come across students who do not have a clue of where to start. I believe the students need to be taught at an earlier age on how to start the problem solving solution process. Because, by the time they reach University level they are incompetent to decide when or where to start. This is because our education system and loving parents have or are not proving the support or atmosphere for development. We as a society need to start bring this problem solving solution process earlier in the kids’ education process earlier.
Eva,
This why it is so important to keep in contact with all of your students. Yes, it is very easy to overlook a student that needs some support. By chatting with them before class and getting to know them on a personal basis you can start to pick up on when they have needs and then you can step in and be of help.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Mary,
Right you are and this is where it breaks down for many students. They don't want to put forth the effort or develop the self discipline needed to be problem solvers.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Just because a student does not ask for help it does not mean they don't need it. Unfortunately, some people don't even know they have a problem until its too late. Students need to be able to recognize problems, find solutions and work to resolve them; not just in school but in life as well.
Understanding the porblem is the first step. Ultimately you have to have the desire to make the changse, do the work required to solve the problem.
Emeka,
Having the knowledge of how to formula a problem and create steps to solution is a valuable tool for each student to have as them move into their career.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I observed that students may not accept support or help from others because they either do not want to show that they lack understanding or lack humility despite utmost need to learn to succeed. I was able to prevent this by making both types of student play a role in team playing and by emphasizing that points would be given to the whole team's correct solution and that each one member would receive that same points. It seemed to work and both types of student get engaged to contribute to the solution of the problem. Each student started to own the problem and worked cooperatively with the rest of the group.
Indeed it is important to define a problem and assess what is known before procedding to finding viable solutions.
Peter,
Good point and one that many people do not see. Being humble is not a part of the general culture today so the thought of listening to others and seeking advice is not a part of the process for many students. There is much to be learned from listening to those with more experience than you but with our culture of youth that is often lost.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Be humble to to recognize there is a problem, listening to those who are willing to talk to you about it, reflect on their observations, be self critical and analyze the situation and come up or listen to solutions to solve said problems.
identifying the challenge,benefits and potential outcomes that may not have been evaluated
Philippe,
Good starting point. You need to understand the problem if you are going to be able to solve the problem.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Stephanie,
Good point. If there is not recognized problem then life gets a lot easier. Just ignore the problem and move on. Unfortunately life does not work that way. Students need to be able to recognize problems, propose solutions and then work to resolving the problem. People with these skills are always in demand.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
For me the first step is to accept and anderstand the problem then defining and also identifying
