Weekly Writing #7

Problem Solving 

Problem solving is a skill that today's learners need to know. These skills are ones that can be transferred across all subject matters. Math, Science, Technology, Engineering and even English all require an aspect of problem solving. We know these skills are important but how can we teach them in our classroom? Or how can we help students to use the problem solving skills they already have?

Due to a lot of research done in the last 20 years, we know that problem solving involves a complex set of cognitive, behavioral, and attitudinal components. Based on this information, Mayer found three characteristics of problem solving

1. Problem solving is cognitive but is inferred from behavior
2. Problem solving results in behavior that leads to a solution
3. Problem solving is a process that involves manipulation of or operation on previous knowledge. 

These three characteristics can be applied to this model of the problem solving process. 

One thing that I found really interesting was the Problem-based learning strategy. This strategy includes problem solving, inquiry based learning, project-based teaching and case studies.

To effectively use problem-based learning there must be a focus on problems that:

1. provide new learning experiences

2. lead to new knowledge

3. reinforce existing knowledge 

This all applies to Agriculture Education in many ways. John Dewey contended that learning from experience helps people solve future problems. Agriculture educators have drawn heavily on the work of Dewey in shaping a problem-solving approach to teaching. I am interesting in learning more about problem solving skills and the problem-based learning strategy. 

"We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them."

-Albert Einstein