I support the problem solving skills by creating simulations where the students have to respond on the spot to situations found in the business world.For example making Smooties for the night students body and some students giving the preparers a hard time by changing their minds on the favor of Smootie they want.
This is very important for the instructor to bring in the classroom because in the business world we all face problems in which we must solve. I always have a problem for the students to solve at the beginning of the class. Usually the problem is related to the last class and the students must solve the problem in two weeks. Usually they have several problems on their plates at one time but no more than two. The students see how everyday in the business world one will come across a problem.
I also set up real simulations in which the students must react on the spot. For example, the students will prepare banana splits before class and I will have several people giving the preparers a hard time mainly changing their order. The preparers must remember customer service is the most important in retailing. All the materials I pay for so the activity is free to the night student body and the preparers.
Terri,
You made my day. Thank you for the kind words and I am pleased that I had a role in your professional development. As for your student I am proud of you in relation to what you were able to do in helping her become a new professional. Keep caring and keep sharing.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
We find it to be most rewarding when students “hear†the examples of challenges one might face in the business.
We keep a football out during class. Why? Murphy runs rampant in our former career. Students are told that it is imperative to learn to punt. Be able to think on your feet, analyze the problem, reflect upon experience and newfound information and still meet deadline.
On the wall down the hall (like that rhyme?) is a presentation board of a student who demonstrated critical thinking. She encountered a problem, did a rethink and created a project that exceeded what the original concept would have been. So proud of her!
By the way, may we gush here? Dr. Meers, we have learned so much from every class we have taken with you. Thank you.
Tenisha,
Good strategy for getting your students to think in different ways and develop different solutions.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I am a firm believer in analyzing problems in order to solve them. I encourage my students to think outside the box first. Then after they have written down their thoughts. I then tell them to destroy the box and think about it again. This helps them to come up with alternative options to what would be their normal response.
Jacqueline,
I use a lot of case studies to help my students in developing their problem solving skills. Your approach helps the students to experience situations they will encounter in their workplace and the more prepared they are the easier their transition will be to employment.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Mary,
I use this format as well and have great results with it. The groups work just as you have described them. Each person learns from the other and collectively they all group in their knowledge and problem solving skills.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I like to give problem solving exercises in class with certain situations and scenarios that could arise in the workplace to see how the students will handle the situation. I also try to lead by example when students come to me with a problem, we analyze it, define it, talk about it and then come to a solution.
I divide my students into groups for problem-solving. The students that have difficulty with problem-solving learn from those who are good at it. And the students who are good at it, learn from those who are not. It helps them all learn to work with one another as in real life.
Jeanne,
I think this is a very good way to give your students extensive experience in problem solving. I use case studies a lot in my classes because working through them gives the students good experience plus they are low risk. Even if they get the solution wrong they still learn from the effort that was put into coming up with the proposed solution. Also, by using case studies the students get to see how the case was managed and the problem solved so they get to see the outcome and learn from that as well.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
In class I like to ask an open ended question on a very specific issue I relate to the material we are discussing and ask the class how they would solve it or respond to this situation. Then I wait for a response encouraging them to be brave and to put on their thinking caps. Initially most students are hesitant to respond but if I give them time and encouragement to try, one or 2 brave souls may respond. I give positive feed back to those who try and encourage the others to be brave and try. As students see this as a learning exercise and exploration and not a right or wrong situation they become more comfortable sharing their ideas with the class.
At our clinicals we use Care Plans and Case Studies for critical thinking exercises and I sometimes use case studies in class with small groups.
I like the open ended questions in class the best because I can relate them to the material we are covering and it seems to stimulate creative thinking about the subject we are discussing.
Vivian,
This is such a great way to let them practice their problem solving skills in a low risk setting. The more confidence they develop the greater their skill level will be in real world settings.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I help the students develop problem solving and critical thinking skills by creating games which pushes them to think and make decisions and then give them scenarios related to the subject matter in which they have to critically think , problem solve and make judgement calls.
Dario,
Having the steps in mind gives structure to the process. Without structure there will be a lot of wasted time and effort which benefits no none.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Good way to give order to their problem solving. This method will give them a backup when they are out in the field needing to solve a problem. They will know the steps to follow because they have practiced and followed them.
Tracy,
These are the strategies I use in my classes and they work great with my students. Each of these methods give students opportunities to refine their critical thinking and problem solving skills.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Daniel,
I use this method and I think it is a great way to enhance the problem solving skills of students. Also, this way they get to make application of the content that has been shared with them.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
By creating case studies and encouraging small group discussions of identifying the problems and brainstorming possible solutions. Then evaluating what result each solution would create. Also by asking open-ended question.
As an electrical instructor,I like to give my students different scenarios to choose from, each with it's own set of complications. They would need to decide which installation would be most cost/time effective
