scholarly journals IMPROVING PROBLEM SOLVING AND SOLUTION DESIGN SKILLS USING PROBLEM FLOW COACHES IN CAPSTONE PROJECTS

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul R. Rousseau ◽  
Nikolai Khomenko
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Russian Language ◽  
Project Teams ◽  
Metacognitive Skills ◽  
Problem Solving Skills ◽  
Design Concepts ◽  
Structured Problems ◽  
Solution Design ◽  
Design Skills ◽  
Capstone Projects

Engineers are known for their ability to solve problems and design solutions to those problems. There is an increasing concern that engineering education is failing to prepare students to properly address complex, ill-structured problems in the context of multi-disciplinary teams in order to produce innovative solutions and designs. Instructional solutions such as coaching, active learning, helping students develop metacognitive skills, and the direct teaching of creative problem solving skills have been proposed and will be discussed. This paper introduces a concept of “problem flow coaches,” who work closely with the capstone project teams. The problem flow coach, with expertise in systematic inventive problem solving methodologies, specifically OTSM (Russian language acronym for General Theory of Powerful Thinking) that is inclusive widely used problem solving methodology TRIZ, assists students in developing the cognitive and metacognitive skills needed to define, analyse and solve complex problems and develop innovative design concepts.

scholarly journals Developing science students’ metacognitive problem solving skills online

2001 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rowan W. Hollingworth ◽  
Catherine McLoughlin
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
New England ◽  
Design Guidelines ◽  
First Year ◽  
Online Environment ◽  
Metacognitive Skills ◽  
Science Students ◽  
Problem Solving Skills ◽  
Structured Problems ◽  
Reflective Skills

<span>Technology is increasingly being harnessed to improve the quality of learning in science subjects at university level. This article sets out, by incorporating notions drawn from constructivist and adult learning theory, a foundation for the design of an online environment for the acquisition of metacognitive problem solving skills. The capacity to solve problems is one of the generic skills now being promoted at tertiary level, yet for many learners problem-solving remains a difficulty. In addition, there are few instances of instructional design guidelines for developing learning environments to support the metacognitive skills for effective problem solving. In order to foster the processes of metacognitive skills explicitly in first year science students, we investigated areas where cognitive support was needed. The aim was to strengthen the metacognitive and reflective skills of students to assist them in adopting strategies and reflective processes that enabled them to define, plan and self monitor their thinking during problem solving. In tertiary science, both well-structured and ill-structured problems are encountered by students, thus a repertoire of skills must be fostered. A model for supporting metacognitive skills for problem solving is presented in the context of an online environment being developed at the University of New England.</span>

Developing Preservice Teachers’ Instructional Design Skills Through Case-Based Instruction: Examining the Impact of Discussion Format

2018 ◽  
Vol 70 (4) ◽  
pp. 319-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrie A. Koehler ◽  
Peggy A. Ertmer ◽  
Timothy J. Newby
Keyword(s):  
Preservice Teachers ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
Class Discussion ◽  
Problem Solving Skills ◽  
Cognitive Levels ◽  
Design Skills ◽  
Based Instruction ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Active Facilitator ◽  
Case Based

For more than 100 years, case-based instruction (CBI) has been an effective instructional method for building problem-solving skills in learners. While class discussion is often included as part of the CBI learning process, the impact on learning is unclear. Furthermore, little research has focused on how specific facilitation strategies influence the development of learners’ problem-solving skills. This study examined the impact of case discussion facilitation strategies on the development of preservice teachers’ problem-solving skills. Specifically, two discussion formats were compared: instructor-facilitated (class discussions guided by instructor-crafted prompts and an active facilitator) and instructor-supported (discussions guided by instructor-crafted prompts only). Results indicated that while preservice teachers’ problem-solving skills improved in both sections of the course, individuals in the instructor-facilitated section demonstrated significantly higher scores on course activities and designed instructional activities at higher cognitive levels compared with preservice teachers who participated in the instructor-supported discussions. Results underscore the importance of an active facilitator in CBI.

scholarly journals Online and other ICT-based Training Tools for Problem-solving Skills

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (06) ◽  
pp. 35
Author(s):  
Athanasios Drigas ◽  
Maria Karyotaki
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Metacognitive Skills ◽  
Dynamic Learning ◽  
Self Monitoring ◽  
Problem Solving Skills ◽  
Social Dynamic ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Real World Learning

Problem-solving requires creative skills, critical thinking as well the ability to implement ideas and theories in practical ways. Moreover, interactive and self-managed problem-solving experiences promote students’ motivation as expressed through the developmental progression of learners’ metacognitive skills, such as self-monitoring and self-reinforcement. Effective learning based on constructivist didactics, encompassing self-organized learning in combination with active and creative problem-solving in collaborative settings, advances students’ concomitant cognitive and meta-cognitive processes. Hence, students’ co-construction of knowledge embodied in social dynamic learning environments, such as school-based tasks leverage the semantic relationships rising from exercising, verifying and testing of knowledge through information sharing and discussion. Future studies should focus on designing interactive, adaptable, ill-defined, real-world learning environments to elicit students’ cognitive and meta-cognitive processes as a key factor for the effective training of problem-solving skills.

Using Writing Strategies in Math to Increase Metacognitive Skills for the Gifted Learner

2017 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather Knox
Keyword(s):  
Academic Success ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
Mathematics Classroom ◽  
Metacognitive Skills ◽  
Problem Solving Skills ◽  
Gifted Learners ◽  
Solution Strategies ◽  
Multiple Strategies ◽  
Problem Solving Process ◽  
Metacognitive Ability

Metacognition is vital for a student’s academic success. Gifted learners are no exception. By enhancing metacognition, gifted learners can identify multiple strategies to use in a situation, evaluate those strategies, and determine the most effective given the scenario. Increased metacognitive ability can prove useful for gifted learners in the mathematics classroom by improving their problem-solving skills and conceptual understanding of mathematical content. Implemented effectively, writing is one way to increase a student’s metacognitive ability. Journal writing in the mathematics classroom can help students by clarifying their thought process while further developing content knowledge. Implementing writing can lead to increased understanding of the problem, identification of additional strategies that can be used to solve the problem, and reflective thinking during the problem-solving process. Reflective writing in mathematics can help students evaluate solution strategies and identify strengths and areas of improvement in their mathematical understanding.

Focus on the Structure of the Problem in Enrichment or Acceleration Programming for the Gifted and Talented

1992 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 139-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Kirschenbaum
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Gifted And Talented ◽  
Gifted Education ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Large Impact ◽  
Enrichment Programs ◽  
Problem Solving Skills ◽  
Problem Situations ◽  
School And Community ◽  
Structured Problems

The problem situations that students encounter in acceleration and enrichment programs for the gifted and talented have a potentially large impact on the development of their problem-solving ability. The acceleration approach as described by Stanley and Benbow (Benbow, 1979; Stanley, 1979) requires students to concentrate on learning the algorithms and strategies necessary for solving “well-structured” problems that are presented to them by an instructor. The enrichment approach of Renzulli and Reis (Renzulli, 1977; Renzulli and Reis, 1985) encourages students to discover problem situations in their school and community and maintains a much greater expectation that students will formulate projects based on “ill-structured” problems. It is concluded that students may practise and thereby learn mutually exclusive problem-solving skills and strategies through involvement in either acceleration or enrichment programs, so an integrated approach to gifted education is advocated on theoretical grounds.

scholarly journals Problem Solving And Creativity And Design: What Influence Do They Have On Girls’ Interest In STEM Subject Areas?

2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robyn Cooper ◽  
Carol Heaverlo
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Extracurricular Activities ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
After School ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Problem Solving Skills ◽  
Regular School ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Subject Areas ◽  
Design Skills

For girls there is a distinct loss in interest, lack of confidence, and decline in positive attitudes toward STEM subject areas that begins early on in their academic experience and increases with age. According to the National Academy of Engineering, students need to begin associating the possibilities in STEM fields with the need for creativity and real world problem solving skills. Recent research has focused on the necessity of emphasizing the use of creativity and design in attracting girls to STEM academic and career fields. Many extra and after school activities (e.g., State Science Fair, math club, environmental club), provide girls with experiential learning that incorporates problem solving and/or creativity and design skills as well as providing investigative opportunities into academic areas that may not be part of the regular school day. Through hierarchical regression analyses, this study examined the extent to which middle and high school girls’ (n = 915) age, and interest and confidence in a) problem solving and b) creativity and design predicted their interest in four STEM subject areas. A follow up analysis identified the extracurricular activities in which girls with higher interests in problem solving and creativity and design were involved. Results revealed that interest in problem solving was a positive predictor for interest in all four STEM subject areas; whereas, interest in creativity and design was a positive predictor for interest in computers and engineering, but a negative predictor for interest in science. 

scholarly journals Investigating Elementary Students’ Problem Solving and Teacher Scaffolding in Solving an Ill-Structured Problem

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 274
Author(s):  
Mi Kyung Cho ◽  
Min Kyeong Kim
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Elementary Students ◽  
Mathematics Classroom ◽  
Problem Situation ◽  
Problem Solving Skills ◽  
Elementary School Mathematics ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Structured Problems ◽  
Access Information ◽  
Study Participants

This study investigated the features of elementary students’ problem solving skills, when teachers provide scaffolding in the process of solving an ill-structured problem in an elementary school mathematics classroom in Seoul, South Korea. In this study, participants solved the ill-structured problem following the phases of Analyze, Browse, Create, Decision-making, and Evaluate. When problem solving was completed without the phase of the Evaluate, to provide metacognitive scaffolding helped to analyze the information of the problem in more depth by returning to identifying related information, which was the sub-phase of Analyze and Browse. When there were difficulties in deepening their understanding of the information from the problem situation, to provide strategic scaffolding helped to access information in an organized way and facilitated solving an ill-structured problem. Based on these results, this study draws implications about scaffolding that can help in the process of solving ill-structured problems, and ultimately suggests the direction to advance to improve problem solving ability in mathematics education.

scholarly journals Why Teachers Need Metacognition Training?

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-64
Author(s):  
A. Kozulin
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Metacognitive Skills ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Problem Solving Skills ◽  
Instrumental Enrichment ◽  
Cognitive Problem ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Written Form ◽  
Problem Solving Strategies

The goal of this paper is to explore the cognitive and metacognitive skills of teachers engaged in cogni-tive training. One of the best-known stand-alone cognitive programs is "Instrumental Enrichment" (IE) developed by Feuerstein, Rand, Hoffman, and Miller. Similar to other cognitive programs, the main em-phasis on IE research has always been on the change that occurs in students' performance. Little is known of teachers' acquisition of IE problem-solving skills and even less of their metacognitive performance associated with this acquisition. In the present study, 28 teachers were pre-and post-tested before and after 90 hours of IE training. The tests included items similar but not identical to those used during the IE training. The analysis of pre-test problem solving demonstrated that a relatively large number of teachers experienced difficulty in solving at least some of the IE tasks. The even greater difficulty was observed in the teachers’ articulation of their problem-solving strategies in a written form. The comparison of pre-and post-test results indicates statistically significant improvement not only in the teachers’ cognitive problem solving but also in their metacognitive skills. These changes, however, did not reach the level of a complete cognitive or metacognitive mastery. The possible reasons for differences in the two sub-groups of teachers are discussed

scholarly journals Metacognitive Knowledge Predicts Success in Problem Solving Transfer

2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Beverly T. Regidor
Keyword(s):  
High School Students ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Correlation Method ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Metacognitive Knowledge ◽  
Metacognitive Skills ◽  
School Students ◽  
Problem Solving Skills ◽  
Students Success

Problem solving skills play a vital role in solving real life problems. This study was conducted to determine the influence of metacognitive and motivational aspects of problem solving skills to the students’ success in problem solving transfer. Furthermore, it determined what aspect of the problem solving skills predicts success in problem solving transfer. The descriptive correlation method was used to determine the relationship of the metacognitive and motivational aspects of the problem solving skills and the students’ success in problem solving transfer. The respondents of the study are the fourth-year high school students of Davao Central College, Philippines. There are three instruments used in the study: 1) The Metacognitive Awareness Inventory which measures their awareness in metacognitive skills such as knowledge and regulation, the 32-item Academic Intrinsic Motivation (AIM) Inventory which measures motivational aspect of the problem solving skills and lastly, the non-routinized test which measures the success in problem solving transfer. The data gathered were summarized, translated, and analyzed using the mean scores for both aspects of the problem solving skills and problem solving transfer. At 0.05 level of significance, the Pearson product moment r was used to test the significant correlation between the aspects of the problem solving skills and the success of problem solving transfer. Findings show that only the metacognitive knowledge predicts success in problem solving transfer and this is the only problem solving skills is significantly correlated to the success in problem solving transfer.Keywords—Mathematics Education, metacognitive knowledge, predicts success, problem solving, descriptive- correlation design, Davao City, Philippines

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