Using Reflective Thinking
It aids in the critical thinking skills. It requires the students to think and reflect on the issue. Most of the students are afraid to think and put ideas out there. they have not had the coaching in either their family unit or previous schooling. In the medical field they need to use reflective thinking to solve the issues that can come up in the office
Daniel,
Great list! All are contributors to successful problem solving. Especially like number 3 as I seem to get there quit often.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Some of the benefits of reflective thinking that can be related to problem solving are:
1. Allowing the individual to consider different kinds of evidence needed to solve a problem
2. Allowing different perceptions of individuals to enter the equation of resolving problems
3. Avoid insanity.
reflective thinking gives you a chance to step back from the situation & analyse the correct steps to take. My favorite way to utelize reflective thinking is by working the situation backwards. I like to start with how I want the situation to end & then what think about the steps needed to get there.
Some benefits of reflective thinking in relation to problem solving include the gift of acquiring multiple perspectives on a given subject matter. When approaching a problem to solve it is beneficial to the maximum to have more than one points of view to get a better angle on the problem and possible solutions. Many times the solution to a problem is a matter of thinking outside the normal box of presupposed angles of attack on any given problem.
Kevin,
Like the way you phrase this. It is right on point and easy to understand. This is a message we need to constantly remind of students of and make a part of their thought process.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Reflective thinking actually allows you to go through the trial and error format (mentally) without the physical pain.
James,
This is one of the challenges with trying to help students to become critical thinkers. They think they don't have to problem solve yet the majority of careers are service based where problem solving is the primary task.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
In this era of excellerated technology, people are so barraged with a constant flow of information and stimumlation they have fewer natural opportunities for reflective thinking. This is a detriment to stres-levels, which impact problem solving skills and creates a dominoe effect. It is important to encourage students to create time for reflective thinking.
Reflective thinking can facilitate better ideas and solutions, reduce stress, enhance clear thinking, improve problem solving skills and achieve better decision making results.
What are some of the benefits of reflective thinking in relation to problem solving?
This question brings me back to Personal Discipline; which directly correlates with Reflective Thinking.
In order for a Surgical Technology student to perform well in our Campus Lab/O.R. setting they must develope their "O.R. Ear". The O.R. Ear is reflective process via listening to all voices in the room to gain knowledge which effects the patient; always observing the surgery in anticipation of needs, judgements....etc. This constant vigilance is performed while performing the tasks at hand-----which begins with Personal Discipline.
One can not successfully solve any problem without reflective thinking.
LE,
This is a good aspect on which to reflect. Thank you for sharing your insights.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
The benefit of Reflective Thinking comes from the opportunity to evaluate various solution paths and examine foundational information. I believe this is a key skill and most of us have well developed skills in this area. What really sets us apart is the speed with which we are able to perform reflective thinking and how effective we are at using it to quickly craft solutions.
Reflective inquiry allows time for four key areas of critical thinking: process improvement, error detection, stakeholder impact and evaluation.
During quite time as people recount a challenging problem, opportunities to stream-line the process may me uncovered. Additionally errors in procedure or judgment may be discovered so they can be avoided in the future. Stakeholder impact is a way to evaluate if the decision or solution to the challenge impacted stakeholders as expected. It answers the questions: Who was affected by this choice or solution? Were they impacted as expected? Are there unexpected consequences that were not foreseen? Lastly, evaluation answers the questions: was the chosen solution effective i.e. did it solve the issue or challenge at hand? For these reasons, reflective inquiry is a key part of critical thinking and problem solving.
Michalina ,
Many instructors agree this is an effective tool for just that reason. Thank you.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Some of the benefits of reflective thinking in relation to problem solving are derived from learning from what you are doing right and understanding what you are doing wrong.
Maria,
Well stated. I like your point about focus.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
It is a wonderful tool because their are unconscious process which can aid in problem solving and by reflection many componets of a problem can comes into focus. Analysis of problems require time and reflection.
Marcia,
The systematic approach is the key. Very good. Thanks.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Ronald,
Your point about the integration of these processes is excellent. Thank you for sharing your insights.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
