DEVELOPING PROBLEMSOLVING SKILLS 2

1
LECTURE 6 DEVELOPING PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS
(2) McMaster 6-Step General Strategy and
Practical Problem Solving Dr Lucille Lee
2
References New Paradigms For Science Education
(2002) Edited by Tan, Lee, Goh and Chia Chapter
1 A General Strategy for Solving High School
Electrochemistry Problems Chapter 2 Problem
Solving in Science A Cognitive
Perspective Chapter 3 Teaching Specific
Problem-Solving Skills in Science
3
Problem-Solving Strategy
Is a series of identifiable mental stages that
we pass through as we solve problems.
4
Why is strategy useful?
1. A strategy is an organized approach that
breaks the overall mental task of problem
solving down into stages. This, in itself,
helps us to tackle parts of the PS process one
at a time.
5
2. Having a strategy helps us to overcome the
initial panic we feel when we experience a
problem that is tough to solve. Calm down
youve got an organized approach. Take it one
stage at a time. OK lets start.
3. Using a strategy improves your performance as
an individual.
6
4. Using a strategy is a requirement for
effective group problem solving.
5. Using a commonly held strategy facilitates
communication.
7
General Problem Solving Strategy
Over 60 strategies have been published by
psychologists, businessmen, administrators,
philosophers, musicians, artists, engineers, and
nurses.
They all have similar stages, the words
describing the stages vary the line drawn
between stages varies however all are about the
same.
8
McMaster 6-Step General Strategy
I WANT TO AND I CAN
DEFINE
EXPLORE
PLAN
DO IT
LOOK BACK
9

• Specific Problem-Solving Skills
• 1. Linkage Skills
• Word Association
• Idea Association
• Problem Translating Skills

Read References Chapters 2 and 3
10
The research has found that problem solving
success is related to the following

• Adequate translation of problem statements

2. Relevant linkage between the problem
statements and knowledge
3. Correctness of prior knowledge retrieved
11
Practical Problem Solving
Problem solving through practical or
investigation
12

• Practical Problem-Solving skills include
• Formulating a question/problem
• Formulating hypothesis,
• Planning an investigation,
• Setting controlled, changeable and measurable
  variables,
• Analysing, synthesising and evaluating facts and
  concepts.

13
References New Paradigms For Science Education
(2002) Edited by Tan, Lee, Goh and Chia Chapter
10 Teaching Children Scientific Thinking Skills