1. Problem Solving Strategies EDU 412/413 Special Thanks to: Matthieu Petit

2. Outline Introduction What is a problem? Methods in Problem Solving Strategies Teaching Problem Solving Strategies

3. Introduction Why teach Problem Solving? What competencies are addressed by Problem Solving? What are the difficulties in Problem Solving at the Secondary Level? Particular to Cycle One vs. Cycle Two?

4. What is a Problem? Identifiable initial observation or data Final goal or conclusion Presence of constraints Series of operations or procedures required to “solve” problem Often requiring research Needs to require at least some work – If you can find the answer just by looking at it, it’s not a problem!!!

5. Methods in Problem Solving: Identify the Problem Look at all the information. Have you seen a similar problem? What are the similarities? Differences? WHAT DO WE KNOW? Do we have facts that aren’t given explicitly in the problem? WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

6. Methods in Problem Solving: Choose a Strategy How did you solve a similar problem in the past? What strategies do you know? From the “WHAT DO WE KNOW”, does any strategy present itself? Try a strategy that seems appropriate Repeat with new strategy if needed.

7. Methods in Problem Solving: Solve the Problem Often the initial impulse, which creates frustration. Use the strategy that seems appropriate to solve in an ordered fashion. Becomes easier with practice for each strategy.

8. Methods in Problem Solving: Review and Re-examine the Problem Review the Problem. Did you find the answer? Is the answer in the correct units? Does the answer seem reasonable? Develop a conceptual intuition or understanding...

9. Strategies Create a diagram or model (many possibilities) Make a Table, Chart or List Compute or Simplify Use a Formula Guess, Check & Revise Consider a Simpler Case, and then extrapolate Eliminate Look for Patterns

10. Strategies: Create a diagram or model Use Physical Models Act Out the Problem Use Drawing or Sketches Create a Formula

11. Teaching Problem Solving Strategies Let students do their problem solving on specific worksheets or in notebooks Use a lot of puzzles and problems without numbers Use group work Keep track of their strategy “toolkit” Encourage them!!!

12. Encouragement Let students restate the problem in their own words. Clearly identify what is being asked. Generally describe the steps needed for a solution, without using the numbers. Group together related information for a clearer picture. Clearly indicate “checkpoints” to refer to Help them determine what is reasonable for an answer