B.Ed. Teaching Notes
TYPES OF PROBLEM SOLVING AND
Prepared by
SABARISH-P
M.Sc., M.Ed., JRF & NET
Lecturer in Physical Science, Arafa Institute for Teacher Education
Attur, Thrissur.
Anderson
(1988) suggested that there a two different types of problem-solving procedures
used.
i. Novices
When
one uses weak-methods or weak procedures for solving a problem it is of the
type Novice problem solving.
ii. Experts
When
one uses a combination of specific problem-solving methods and a series of compiled
actions leading to solutions it is of the type Expert problem solving.
PROBLEM
SOLVING CYCLE
We
engage in problem solving when we need to overcome obstacle in order to answer
a question or to achieve a goal. If we can quickly retrieve an answer from
memory, we do not have a problem. If we cannot retrieve an immediate answer,
then we have a problem to be solved.
The
steps of the problem solving cycle includes
1) Problem
identification,
2) Problem
definition,
3) Strategy
formulation,
4) Organization
of information,
5) Allocation
of resources,
6) Monitoring
7) Evaluation
1) Problem identification.
Identifying a situation
as problematic is sometimes a difficult step. We may fail to recognize that we
have a goal, that our path to a goal is obstructed, or that the solution we had
in our mind does not work.
2) Problem definition and representation
Once we identify the
existence of a problem, we still have to define and represent the problem well
enough to understand how to solve it. The problem definition step is important
because if we inaccurately define and represent the problem, we will not be
able to solve it.
3) Strategy formulation
The next step is to plan a strategy for solving
it. The strategy may involve
Analysis – breaking
down the whole of a complex problem into manageable elements, and
Synthesis – putting
together various elements to arrange them into something useful.
4) Organization of information.
Once a strategy has
been formulated, we are ready to organize the available information in a way
that enables us to implement the strategy.
At this step, we
organize the information strategically, finding a representation that best
enables us to implement the strategy.
5) Resource allocation
In addition to our
other problems, most of us face the problem of having limited resources,
including time, money, equipment, space and so on. Some problems require a lot
of time and resources, whereas other problems require only few resources.
Moreover, we need to know when to allocate which resources.
6)
Monitoring
Checking
up on ourselves all along the way, to make sure that we are getting closer to
our goal is called monitoring. If we are not in the right direction we have to
change it.
7)
Evaluation
We have to evaluate our solution after we have
finished. Through evaluation, new problems may come to light, and new resources
may become available or existing ones may be used more efficiently.
Hence, the cycle is completed when it leads to new
insights and begin anew.
