Problem Solving

Problem Solving

Regardless of what we are doing in our life, we, as a human always facing so many kind of problem.  Most problem are very easy, but some other is very hard and sometime complicated, but they all need to be solved in a satisfactory way.

Problem is defined as the difference between the reality (current state) with the one you expected (goal state). For example, in the class room, we want the student to understand what being taught by the teacher (goal state) but the fact is the students still do not understand. This become a problem, thus we need to do something to solve the problem, as it called “Problem Solving”.

              Problem Solving is a higher mental process where attitudes, prior knowledge and heuristic or algorithmic rules intervene in order to provide the best of possible answer to a problem, where one did not exist (Electronic Journal of Reasearch in Educational Psychology. 2003). Moreover, Krulik and Rudnick stated that Problem Solving is a learning process in which a personal child uses previously knowledge, skills, and understanding to alter unknown situation. As a result, analysis and synthesis are most significant in Problem Solving requirements.

Generally, Problem Solving is used when we are facing the problem. If it is  seen from the teachers’ point of view, Problem Solving is used when the teacher deal with the students’ act such as, misbehavior, undisciplinary,  or maybe students’ problem in understanding the subject. In addition, if it seen from the students’ point of view, Problem Solving is used in the  school on a project or assignment to solve the problem that given by the teacher so that can create the higher order thinking skill, and at the end everyone can implement it in their life.

Nowadays, the Problem Solving has been implemented in every school area.  The purpose of teaching trough problem solving is to encourage  the students to refine and to built their own thinking development and also to construct more of their own ideas, thus, it will allow them to aware for further possibilities in their own life experience and take more responsibilities in their own learning. Another reason using problem solving as it was stated by Krulik and Rudnick, ”Problem Solving is more exciting, more challenging, and more interesting to children than barren exercise. Finally, it permits students to learn to learn and to practice heuristic thinking. A careful selection of problems is a major vehicle by which we provide a ‘sharpening’ of Problem Solving skills and strategies so necessary in real life.”

Talking about how to apply the Problem Solving in the classroom, firstly, we as teacher should consider the prerequisite knowledge of the student and give them some introduction. Then, we should think about appropriate time allocated. Finally, creating a supportive environment, for instance providing an appropriate media in which related to the topic.

The process will be conducted by:

1.      Give the student the problem verbally (speak loudly) or in non verbal (text) without the question

2.      Go around onto each group and ask each member of the group to participate by giving an opinion or ideas then they have to discuss to each other in their group until they reach the conclusion.

3.      As the process goes, the teacher  have to facilitate and motivate the student.

4.      At the end of the process, each group have to present their result and able to communicate it with other students.

The point of this method is to show the effectiveness of cooperative Problem Solving, without demonstrate the solution and consider the correct or incorrect answer (http://www.mathgoodies.com/articles/problem_solving.html, retrieved on 16 March 2010).

                                                                    Refferences

(http://www.mathgoodies.com/articles/problem_solving.html, retrieved on 16 March 2010).

Krulik, S., and Rudnick J.A. Problem Solving A Hand Book For Teachers. Second Edition. Allyn and Bacon, Inc. Massachusetts. 1987

Esquivias, M.T.S; Gonzales, A.; Muria, I. Problem-Solving: Evaluative Study of Three Pedagogical Approaches in Mexican School. Electronic Journal Of Research in Educational Psychology. No 1(2)2003.ISSN: 1696-2095. Mexico. 2003