Basic Problem Solving involves students having a go at solving a problem by closely following a method taught by the educator, e.g., a mathematical formula.
Instructions
- Introduce the specific problem-solving procedure or method. Provide a clear and concise overview of the steps or strategies involved and walk the students through a sample problem-solving scenario using the procedure.
- Provide students with a practice problem that require the application of the problem-solving procedure.
- Get students to raise their hand if they get stuck at any stage and clarify that step for them.
Resources
A problem to solve with the taught method.
Variations
- Make it interleaved: After teaching the students a variety of methods for solving different problems, provide a mix of problems for them to practise solving. By interleaving the problems, students not only practise applying different methods, but they also practise identifying different problems and the methods required to solve them.
- Make it predictive: Get students to have a go at solving a problem before teaching them the method. When the method is revealed, get students to look back at their work and identify where they were on track and where they went wrong. If using this variation, ensure that students have learned enough that they have a reasonable chance of figuring the method out and won’t be completely lost.
References
Lang. (2021). Small Teaching: Everyday Lessons from the Science of Learning. (2nd ed.). John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated.