Get Your Students Hired
What are some ways you can support the development of problem solving skills in your students?
I help my students learn their own personal traits and behaviors, and then I help them to see that of others. They immediately begin to assess how they are similar as well as different from others, and determine was to behave effectively with others and themselves based on those findings.
Coaching them by providing a critical thinking environment and by creating a "What-How-Why" culture. Encouraging and facilitating cerebral activities.
I agree with Jason, the kids growing up are afraid to fail, now there are in my opinion levels of failure. One level is failing to follow instructions and breaking things, that to me is the worst type of failure. A second level is failing because you are practicing to get better, that is the best kind. You are at least trying to learn and fix the issue you have. A third level of failure is not trying at all that to me is a personal failure of your own desire to make things right.
By continually involving them in the process of problem solving and supporting them through it. This will help grow their skills in this area.
I believe the best way isencouragement and support. Also if they come to a road block so to speak introduce subtle questions that make them think about something else or a differ way to look at it.
I think this is a learned skill. I believe setting up real life scenarios as often as possible can quickly help build this skill.
Developing problem solving skills could be done with any topic or subject. Hopefully, everything that is being taught has a real life application, therefore the potential for problem solving. Allowing students to ask questions and then allow them to come up with the answers is a favorite technique of mine.
It helps to know what kind of problem solver the students are when deveolping a plan for the students. If the you have systematic problem solvers and intuitive problem solvers throughout the class it would be a good idea integrate these problem solvers so different styles can work together. This will help to come up with the best solutions.
Kimberly,
I use case studies a lot in my classes as well. I find that they help to get students involved in the class content and discussing why they came up with the conclusions they did. You are right about the patience factor and the need to help students to see the value of self discipline when it comes to critical thinking and problem solving.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Lately I have been using provided case studies from the students text books as a way of dialogue. I ask them to read it and break it down into sections. After that we discuss what if they agree with it and what they would change. I really enjoy playing devils advocate pointing out the good and the bad forcing them to think outside the box. I try to let them explore what they think happened. How the person could stand or walk; what there posture looks like; and how it is affecting their personalities. Some students really get into this, but then again you have the students that do the bare minimum that just try to agree with the case study as it is the easy answer already typed up. Patience is definitely needed from the teacher so that they continue to let the process work and eventually inspire critical thinking skills in the easy way out students too :)
Kenny,
Like your method. This is a very real and practical way of helping your students to develop their problem solving skills in a way that gets them ready for when they step on to their jobs and have to trouble shoot and solve a wiring problem that will lead to customer satisfaction.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Teaching an electrical class they have a "customer concern" I ask them to try and diagnose the issue using only the symptom and the wiring diagram,some will have a clue to the possibilities and other really struggle with the concept. At that point I will have them highlight the circuits they know work which only leaves the circuits that do not, once they "SEE" the issue on paper they know what kind of test to perform and where to preform them. Most will continue to highlight throughout thier training. "The light then comes on"
I try to support problem solving skills by giving assignments and projects that require this skill and then try to emphasize and praise what the student is doing right. When there are skills that are lacking, I try to help them by giving tips and pointers to better solve the problem the next time or re-work through situation so they can see where they went wrong or even help them to solve the situation correctly.
Denise,
Glad the example worked for you and given the extremely cold weather we have been having throughout the United States I am sure this example has been used over and over due to dead batteries. As for the problem solving steps you are letting the students develop critical thinking processes that enable them to become problem solvers. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Talk to them about the process first, then show an example such as what you did with the car and the cold weather. That was helpful to me. Give them plenty of opportunities, give them a lot of guidance initially and then back off as they take it into their own hands, praise when appropriate and patience always. Also, if they are going in the wrong direction, ask questions that should get them back on track.
Susan,
Good strategy to use because it involves some cooperation and sharing which students will need when they are in the workplace plus it helps them to build confidence in their abilities as problem solvers.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I think this is so important. I have themes for the semester in my Remedial Writing class. One semester the theme was "This is the can do class." It worked which I knew when one of the students said she could not figure out an answer. One of the other students said, "Oh now. This is the can do class." He as her peer made her come up with an answer. It is a risk but then they have to be given permission to know that not all answers will be correct.
I introduce the concept by solving a problem in class as a class following a problem solving process. We write out the steps and complete them together. We engage in brainstorming to come up with possible solutions. I emphasis the importance of including all possiblities. Sometimes what may seem like a crazy idea could be the best solution. As a class, we complete the process by evaluating the end result. After participating in the process, they are expected to use the process on their own.
Tom,
This is such an important tool for them to be able to use. By being able to collect and understand the data they will be able to come up with viable solutions and refine their problem solving skills.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.