Techniques for facilitating problem-solving active learning activities.
Active Learning | Problem-Solving
Problem-Solving activities assess how well students can analyze, evaluate, and apply information to solve a problem or draw a conclusion based on available evidence or information. Using these approaches, instructors can evaluate how well students can work within a given framework to come to a solution individually or collaboratively.
Problem-Solving Activities
| Approach |
Description |
Outcome |
| Analytic Team |
Students critically read an assignment, listen to a lecture, or watch a video by assuming a role (summarizer, connector, proponent, or critic) that guides their analysis. |
Helping students understand the different perspectives and processes that constitute a critical analysis. |
| Case Studies |
Students review a written study of a real-world scenario and develop a solution to the dilemma presented in the case. |
Helping students engage in critical reflection by considering multiple alternatives to solving problems. |
| Send-A-Problem |
Students solve a problem as a group and pass the problem and solution to a nearby group, which does the same, with the final group evaluating the solutions. |
Helping students work together to practice the thinking skills required for effective problem-solving and for comparing and discriminating between multiple solutions. |
| Structured Problem-Solving |
Students follow a structured process to solve problems. |
Dividing problem-solving processes into manageable steps so students don’t feel overwhelmed and learn to identify, analyze, and solve problems organizationally. |
| Think-Aloud Pair Problem-Solving |
Students solve problems aloud and try out their reasoning with a listening peer. |
Emphasizing the problem-solving process (rather than the product) while helping students identify logic and process errors. |
Source/Citation
Barkley, Elizabeth F. et al. Collaborative Learning Techniques: A Handbook For College Faculty. Wiley, 2014. pp. 225.
