Introduction to Problem Solving
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The Dreaded "Word-Problem" in Math Class

Solving "word problems" gives many students serious trouble in math class. "Word problems" don't just happen in math class. Word problems are actually no problem at all once you have practiced a good problem-solving process often enough.

Why are the following issues so important? Think deeply about each of these issues. Jot down your thoughts about each.

• The big goals of Education
• Fundamental Building Blocks
• Strategic Framework for Lifelong Learning
• Focus on the Process of Learning -- "How to Learn"
• Seven core thinking skills should be explicitly taught and practiced in class in the context of progressively more complex problem-solving learning activities
• Fundamental Concepts and Laws -- The old-style "subject matter -- the "what to Learn"
• Derive new concepts and design one's own strategies for lifelong learning
• Five general types of problems -- call them all "word problems" if you like
• Critical and creative thinking
• "Problem-Solving" is a subset of  "Opportunity-Building" 
• Special Note: Students should be taught how to interpret Curriculum expectations in the context of their personal goals

Why learn about problem-solving? Open this file: McCowan-Problem_Solving_Intro_Jan28_16.pdf.

Following a proven problem-solving process using seven core thinking skills is the key -- Recall, Translate, Interpret, Apply, Analyze, Synthesize, Evaluate.

The Design Process

A sub-set of Problem-Solving is the Design Process. Open this file: DesignProcessDetails_Gr11_Sept16_14-.
---Input -- Process -- Output -- Self-Evaluate
---A closed loop -- looks a lot like progressing through the 7 core thinking skills
---Reflecting on your Process and your Product

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The James McCowan Memorial Social History Initiative is dedicated to making occasional contributions to a body of work celebrating the endeavours and achievements of Scots and Scots' descendants in Canada.