I agree. Case studies allow the student to analyze and practice critical thinking. Case studies however, should be developed in a way that they engage the student in the process of problem solving. Some are just not challenging enough.
As we were discussing in the last forum, giving your students time or should I say making your students take the time to reflect is a crucial step in helping your students develop better problem solving skills. Most of us have been through a four to six step problem solving format, but how many of us have actually taken the time to reflect?
I see the reflection step as what is often missing from most problem solving formats except for the one introduced in this course.
I encourage my students to try to solve their problems by asking them questions. Usually when we go through the process slowly and out loud together, they figure out what to do next or what must have gone wrong. Its important to start them thinking early on. They need to build independance which will lead to confidence.
It is easier to just tell them the answer, but in the long wrong it is not beneficial to the student; afterall you are unable to be there to bail them out forever. The point of our jobs is not just to teach the hows, but the whys as well. The better they understand the material, the more likely they will be able to make educated decisions when issues arise. We will be proud of our graduates and they will be proud of themselves.
Daneen,
Like your steps because they let your students explore and create options within their solutions. This lets them see that there are different ways to solve a problem based upon the resources and limitations presented in each setting.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Some ways that I can support the development of problem solving skills for students is to require them to create multiple solutions to a problem. Then to evaluate each solution's advantages and disadvantages. Based on their evaluations of the solutions they can either:
A) choose the best possible solution of these problems
B) create a new solution to the problem that after having evaluating it is the best sollution
Teresa,
The more real world examples the better. These examples help students to see the value of the content being offered plus they start to realize the relevance and application of what they are learning.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I use real world examples, hands-on activities and group discussions to support the development of problem solving skills.
Russell,
I use a lot of case studies in my classes to get my students involved in the asking of questions and proposing of solutions. The more experience they have in these areas the better prepared they are going to be out in the work place. Thank you for making these good points.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Asking questions of students on how would they approch a specific diagnosis using the knowlege they have learned in earlier courses. making them think of soultions and correcting or feeding their thought prosses to a logical or possible next test procedure.
JAMEL,
I am a big fan of case studies as well. They help students to get into the problem solving mindset and give them experience in critical thinking.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
In doing group projects I sometimes assign different "critical thinking" problems/case studies which allows each student to evaluate the information given and apply applications.
Cynthia,
Good attack strategy. This approach helps the students to be able to seek a solution to the problem that is workable and attainable within the environment in which the problem exists.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
In order to help my students develop better problem solving skills, I try to encourage them to identify what the problem is and how it pertains to them. Then by understanding what parameters are involved with the problem they can better focus on how to go about solving it.
Apryl,
This is a very good idea to follow. I use a lot of case studies in my classes for this reason. I want them to see many different situations and work at coming up with different solutions.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Marcia,
Like the steps you take your students through to reach solutions. These steps give them strategies to follow that will serve them well when they are out in the work world.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Give them a mock situation to problem solve in several ways. This way they are stimulated to think inmore ways than one to solve the problem or challenge.
I can support problem solving skills with my students by giving them many opportunities to solve problems using a step by step approach. Helping them to define the problem, by writing it down and obtaining as much concrete data (facts) and abstract data (feelings, opinions)as possible. Then teaching them to analyze the problem from a variety of viewpoints, by researching the problem, and reflecting on the many aspects and info collected. Using case studies is helpful, as well as, reflective journal writing, with feedback from the instructor. After a few solutions have been decided upon, remind the student to let them germinate, as they analyze each for the impact they could have on themselves, their patient or the healthcare environment. The final step would be to evaluate the decision made and see if the solution they have decided upon has solved the problem or not.
Juliet,
This is a valuable resource because as the students are developing their problem solving skills it is easy to leave something out. The checklist helps to keep them progressing toward the solution.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I think by giving them a checklist of things to do while analyzing a problem will help students become better problem solvers. Also, by using another worksheet to help them evaluate the results of their solutions should help as well.
Mary Jane,
I agree about the use of simulations and the value they bring to problem solving. I really like the idea of using Smoothies as the venue through which an example is made. The students get something to snack on while making application of their problem solving skills.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
