Teacher's Role in Problem Solving

Give suggestions not answers

Offer a problem solving heuristic

Teach a variety of problem solving strategies

Allow time for the students to struggle with the problem

Choose problems that require time to think through a solution

Provide a variety of problems

Allow students time to practice a heuristic and strategies

Give similar or the same problem in different ways

Ask questions that encourage students to:

think divergently

explain how they are thinking.

to share strategies

think of other ways that the same problem could be asked

think of real life problems that are or relate to the problem

discover different problems that can be solved with the same strategy

discover multiple ways to solve the problem

reflect or check their solutions

reflect and discuss how they imagined a certain strategy might be possible

explain why they have confidence in their solutions

Provide encouragement and appreciation:

appreciate different solutions and strategies

encourage students to find multiple solutions to a problem

encourage students to take time to solve problems

compliment students on good problem solving strategies whether they reach a solution or not

make sure students know what a compliment or praise specifically relates to about the problem and problem solving

encourage students to keep trying and to learn by correcting mistakes

let students know that problem solving is difficult and rewarding

share and discuss attitudes and dispositions that are conducive to problem solving

Be a role model:

solve problems yourself

make problem solving a top priority

let students know that problem solving is an integral part of your curriculum

look for and comment on problem - solving situations anywhere they occur

imbed teaching and learning in a problem - solving format

use sketches, manipulatives, charts, graphs, and any other kind of representation that can thought of

Use problem solving strategies and vocabulary