Kenneth,
As a young person on our farm my father would tell me we need some "walking around time" when we were faced with a problem to solve. By stepping back and reflecting on the problem and the possible solutions he with my input how ever little it might have been was able to come up with a solution. Rather plunging right into the situation a little reflection will go a long way moving closer to the desired results.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Reflective thinking is a powerful approach to critical thinking. To just take the time in reflective thought will lead to critical thinkers coming up with more viable solutions to a given problem or situation. It is this action of pause to seek the facts and review any assumptions to make more informed decisions---you do not know what you do not know.
Sherry,
Simple thing to do but as you say many people do not do it. Stepping back and thinking about the situation can do a lot to help a person see the problem from another perspective. At times on our farm, my dad would say I think it is "Walk around time" which meant that we would step back and walk around a bit before tackling the problem again. Most time our walking around gave us time to solve the problem in our minds and then solve it in reality.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I agree with you, most people want everything solved quickly. They will keep trying and trying until they get what they want. When if they only had step back and reviewed their mistakes, they could solved their problem much quicker.
Andy,
Good way to turn it back on them and have them reflect on what has been covered and how they need to recall that information for use in the current discussion.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
When my students ask me a question that I have already covered, I respond with questions to help them recall the subject in order to logically come to their own conclusion
Dixie,
Thank you for your reflective thinking on answering this forum question. Your thoughts are right on in terms of how to prepare for and then successfully complete reflective thinking that will lead to successful problem solving.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Dixie,
I am with you in terms of needing a balance. Being too far one way or another produces poor or no results. We need always to remember what our goal is and why we are doing what we are to achieve that goal.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I'm noticing how many of the posts include "stepping back" and variations on that metaphor. The word "reflection" when applied to thinking also carries a metaphor. When something is reflected, it is visible (or audible) in at least two places. A change in perspective is inevitable. I think this shift in perspective is at the heart of the value of reflection. We take a meta-step in our level of engagement with the situation, see it in a different, perhaps larger, context, which then opens the possibility of greater resources.
As you say, Beth, we don't want to underestimate the value and power of interpersonal and intrapersonal intelligences!
Some people spend so much time aiming they never actually fire. Others fire and then spend a lot of ammunition and effort correcting. I think we need a balance here.
Eurico,
This is such an important skill to develop yet it seems that most students don't want to take the time to slow down, step back and reflect on the situation. They want to google, slam in an answer and go forward whether the problem is solved or not. I work hard to slow my students down and get them to think about what they are observing and how to shape a solution to the problem that is being presented.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
By stepping back and do observation leads you to analyze the real situation on a problem and the best tool finalizing the decision before it use or adopt.
Wook,
Well said in terms of how reflective thinking can be used as an effective problem solving tool. Your last sentence puts it together very well in terms of the need for individuals to assess all of the issues before moving forward with problem solving. Not to do this can result in the real problem not being address or solved.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I think having a thought process of truly reflecting on a subject can allow for further diving into resolving an issue or problem. Most people tend to rush into a solution without thinking of the outcomes which may result in further issues.Truly reflecting will allow one to assess all issues before solving a problem.
By stepping back and trying to look at the bigger picture one can find creative solutions to challenging problems. People are never one-dimensional and there can be more at play than what is first seen or observed, and by finding time to reflect on observations and view situations from multiple angles a greater solution can be uncovered.
Reflective thinking can save time in the end by avoiding trial and error. Additionally, reflective thinking forces time to put all the pieces together and perhaps conclude a better decision or eliminate blind spots to decisions.
Amy,
Well said and very true. We need to help our students to step back and do some reflecting on the problem they are trying to solve and see what their options are. This way they will gain expertise in looking at problems in different ways so they can come up with different solutions as dictated by the situations.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Refelctive thinking is often a skipped step by students and faculty alike. It takes time, insight and effort to achieve this type of "thinking." In today's Big Mac society it is as much overlooked as "feedback" is in the communication cycle.
Eddie,
This is critical in the problem solving process. This is how solutions are identified and problems solved. We can't just grab onto the first idea we come up with and hope it is the right one. We need to reflect and analyze the possibilities and then decide just as you mentioned.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
