PROBLEM SOLVINGPROBLEM SOLVING

NANA AMOA FRAN GREENE PRADEEP BHATTA SAFIYE EDGUER

TUESDAY, 5TH OCTOBER 1999

PRESENTATION CONTENTPRESENTATION CONTENT INTRODUCE PROBLEM SOLVING METHODS

WORKSHOP– BREAK UP INTO GROUPS– DISCUSS THE THREE PRISONERS PROBLEM

FORMAL SOLUTION OF PROBLEM TO ILLUSTRATE PERTINENT PROBLEM SOLVING TECHNIQUES

DISCUSSION OF OPEN ENDED PROBLEMS

CONCLUSION

TEACHING WITH PROBLEM SOLVING TEACHING WITH PROBLEM SOLVING METHODSMETHODS

WHAT DO WE ACHIEVE WITH PROBLEM SOLVING EXERCISES ?

PROBLEM SOLVING IS A STUDENT CENTERED APPROACH !E

STUDENTS APPLY AND USE ACQUIRED KNOWLEDGE

OBTAIN FEED BACK ON STUDENT COMPREHENSION LEVEL

ALLOWS STUDENT TO PARTICIPATE

ALLOWS FOR STEPWISE LEARNING PROCESS

OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO INSTRUCTORINSTRUCTOR

PRESENT CLEARLY ILLUSTRATED SOLUTION WITH STUDENTS AS SPECTATORS EXPLICIT GUIDELINES IMPLICIT GUIDELINES

INTERACTIVE PROBLEM SOLVING ALLOW STUDENTS TO PRESENT AND ACT AS AN

INTELLIGENT SCRIBE.

PROBLEM STATEMENTPROBLEM STATEMENTThere are three men in a low security jail.There are three men in a low security jail.Two of them can see and the third is blind.Two of them can see and the third is blind.

The warden of the prison having a slow day decides to The warden of the prison having a slow day decides to allow them to play a gameallow them to play a game

He decides that these are the conditions.He decides that these are the conditions.

He puts them in a room and behind them lines up 5 He puts them in a room and behind them lines up 5 hats. He tells them that hats. He tells them that three of them are bluethree of them are blue and the and the

other other two are whitetwo are white… They are not allowed to look … They are not allowed to look behind thembehind them

At random he takes a hat and places it on their heads.They are not allowed to see the hats on their own headsThey are allowed to see the hat on each others heads if they can indeed see.If anyone is able to guess correctly the hat on his head, he walks free. If on the other hand he guesses wrong, he is summarily executed. Deciding not to gamble means that the status quo remains.The first sighted man given the first go didn't know what hat he was wearingThe second sighted man given the second go thought about it but was also at a lossThe blind guy waiting last for his turn knew straight away what hat he had on and walked freeAssuming that the prisoners are rational human beings and of reasonable intelligenceWhat color hat did the blind guy have on and how did he know it !!!

Instructor’s preparationInstructor’s preparation

Completely solve the problem beforehand. Time management. Prepare hand-outs. Keep out of class resources ready.

Selecting the ProblemSelecting the Problem

Base on prior knowledge of students. Note common pitfalls. Incorporate problems from real life. Include problems that may introduce new

concepts than ones covered in the lecture/recitation.

Solving the Problem: First Solving the Problem: First stepssteps

Clearly state the problem. Mention real world relevance, if

appropriate. Allow enough time to read /comprehend

/solve the problem. Trigger the thinking process.

And….And….

Explicitly list all data. Diagrams & Illustrations. May be some

photos from real life. Break a big problem into parts.

Student interactionStudent interaction

Develop group work strategies, if appropriate.

Encourage question asking. Act as a scribe. Ask students to solve problems on the

board.

Additional commentsAdditional comments

Make students aware of multiple approaches, if they exist.

Review all steps. Identify and discuss common pitfalls. Design homework assignments

appropriately.

OPEN ENDED PROBLEMSOPEN ENDED PROBLEMS

Multiple solutions More difficult problems which require

longer duration of time Requires a greater level of thinking Requires teamwork Examples: projects, case studies, research,

etc.

PRESENTING OPEN ENDED PRESENTING OPEN ENDED PROBLEMSPROBLEMS

Create teams Present an overview and prerequisites Be general Allow students to brainstorm Ensure complete accessibility to resources

ANDAND

Require progress reports Do not solve problem for the students Require final report with all relevant

materials

SUMMARYSUMMARY

Be prepared Encourage Class Participation Allow the students to comprehend the

problem and the solution(s) Choose problems that are relevant and

challenging Remember there is no wrong answer

LAST WORDLAST WORD

Problem solving is a symbiotic relationship