IMPROVING STUDENTS’ PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS
JOSEPHINE C. DUNGO
It is common knowledge that problem solving is a skill not everyone is born with. It is harnessed through practice and experience.
Teachers should explore strategies that would help students improve their problemsolving skills. Some readings state that experienced problem solvers have a plan, take risks, and are not afraid to ask questions.
They may not know how to solve the problem, but they have plans on how to tackle that particular problem.
Meanwhile, inexperienced problem solvers become overwhelmed by the problem, and thus get stuck. They don’t know how or where to begin; they have no plan of action.
There are ways we can help students improve their problem solving skills. First, they should define the problem. Inexperienced problem solvers often don’t know what they are solving for or what question is being asked, so we must remind students to read the question carefully and make sure they understand the question.
Second, they must identify what information is given and what information is missing, which would help students determine what they need to know in order to solve the problem.
Third, they should not be afraid to ask questions. Teachers should encourage students to ask questions that will help them fill in the gaps. They should focus on getting additional facts and/ or be able to make reasonable assumptions that will help to solve the problem.
Next, we should teach them to identify possible solutions. Students should approach the solution in different ways. Students more often than not are able to answer their own question as they talk it out and teachers are able to understand their thought process and redirect as needed.
Students should be able to evaluate potential solutions and determine the answer. They should be encouraged to double check and ensure their solution actually answers the original question.
And lastly, practice. A structured approach is important, but not really sufficient. Let them go through the process of solving problems, which will help build student confidence as well as competence.
The author is Master Teacher — oOo—
I at San Basilio Elementary School