Personal Problem Solving
One of the best methods I have found with helping student begin to think critically and be reflective thinkers is to have them work through a problem-solving method using a problem they are having in their own lives.
I think this helps them connect with the concept and allows them to see the value of the process outside of the classroom setting.
Angela,
Great way to visualize this process to and for your students. I am sure they can see in their mind's eye a piece of the puzzle, then another and then another. This gives them a plan to follow which means that as they put the last piece of the puzzle in place they will have a solution to the problem.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
When teaching critical thinking, I have the students think of it as a puzzle, where they gather all the peaces of information, then put them together.
I think this serves a duel purpose. I used to use this in a medical office I worked at as well. As a staff we would gather every morning and work on a work issue as well as a personal one. This with the intention of working out an issue or figuring a way to do something specific better.
Mark,
The other day as I was traveling down I29 in southern Iowa I say a town sign that said welcome to our town "Where Common Sense is Common". Loved the sign and the message it sends because you are so right. Many of our students are lacking in a basic understanding of what common sense is and how to use it. They need help in becoming basic thinkers and problem solvers and to do both require time and effort which many students are not willing to invest.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
We live in a day and time that most of its younger generation has been given so much, that a lot of the much needed life skills have been lost. Things we learn growing up by doing something stupid and having to buy the price has been taken to a point where we are enabling our young people. This has been a hard and personal subject when I could easily went down this road myself. Many lack the skill of using common sense and critical thinking to solve life issues. Its become so easy for us to point the finger rather than omit to the poor choices that have led to this conclusion! Myself as an instructor I try to motivate and encourage that they should take the chance to learn on their own. Failure is a big part of learning.
KarrieAnn,
This is how we learn. This is how we make progress in our lives and careers. Our students need to understand this and not be afraid to take risks and then learn when their efforts do not always work as they would like. This is what brings about career maturity.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I think making mistakes and giving positive and informative feedback is a great way for students to utilize their critical thinking skills. It allows them to be able to compare and to process information is such a way that allows them to break down the situation and redirect their path to a successful outcome. Critical Thinking.
Eugene,
What are some strategies you use to help your students problem solve in groups?
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
When students think a group problem solving is better
Tasia and Dale from Concorde?! I use the same method in my Critical Thinking class. I think that having students work through a problem using this method gives them the ability to reflect and analyze the problem in a way they hadn't previously thought of.
Tasia from Concorde? this is Dale. I use that idea in Psychology class as they think of a situation in their lives that they want to change and do a behavior modification plan.
Tasia,
Personalizing the learning process is a valuable learning tool and you are doing a great job of it with this approach. The students get two outcomes, one they learn about problem solving and two, they get their own problem solved or if not solved at least they have worked toward a solution.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
