Problem-Solving Skills

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Problem-Solving Skills While Learning Online

When involved in online instruction, there are problem-solving skills that can help you.  Much of problem solving consists of being creative and trying to think of different ways to solve problems you encounter.  One way to do that is to make a list of all the ways in which you can solve a problem.  If you have difficulties, for example, with your online class, of course, always first ask your teacher for help, but beyond that, here are some other things you can do:

In order to problem solve in the online classroom situation you can make lists.  If, for instance a student is reading a story, lists can be made of what they know about the topic already.  This will activate their prior knowledge and get them thinking about the subject so that they can better interact with it.  Another thing that can be done to problem solve is to think of ways in which others have previously solved a problem.  Then those methods can be applied to your specific situation in the online sector.

Most problems are resolved by making lists and through being creative.  It is a good idea to have the opinions of others when problem solving.  You cannot always do it all alone.  Having two heads, they say, is always better than one.  This is so true in the case of problem solving.  One strategy that works well for online learning is to have students use photographs or graphics or even artwork.  Once students look at a set of photos they can then list how it relates to the problem they are trying to resolve.  This and many other problem solving strategies like this are used throughout the world, predominantly in the business and corporate situations.  The strategies have been used time and time again, and research dictates that they work!

Brainstorming is one of the main strategies used in the problem solving process, and it is one that can be easily incorporated into the online classroom.  This can be done through the use of sticky notes or by writing down ideas that are gathered as a group or individually.  The idea for using sticky notes is used because the small space offered on such note pads is non-threatening, and causes one to jot something down quickly rather than having to write a lot of information.  Once the sticky notes are written, they can then be shared and placed on the wall on charts and easily manipulated and changed.

Problem solving strategies can solve any problem in life. They also work well with education and with online learning!

There are as many problem solving strategies that exist as there are problems.  These strategies really work and have been proven to solve many problems and to help people to reach their goals.  Each strategy has its own place, and one must be careful to choose the correct one for the situation. 

The book I read is entitled, Creative Approaches To Problem Solving:  A Framework for Change.  This book was authored by Scott G. Isaksen, K. Brian Dorval and Donald J. Treffinger.  It starts out saying what being creative means and how the word has many definitions.  Then it discusses how problem solving can be creative, followed with how problem solving and creativity are interrelated.  The bulk of the book consists of strategies that can be used in the creative problem solving process.  I will list and discuss some of these strategies here.

In creative problem solving there exist different stages for solving problems.  The stages can be skipped and one should use what works for the situation or for the particular question that is being attempted.  Problem solving using creativity is a proven process that really does work and has helped many to find their solutions to a myriad of problems.

Once a problem statement is designed other related statements also can be created. Then you can ask questions, such as how might I, what would happen if, in what way might I, and so forth.

Hits and Hot Spots is a creative problem solving strategy.  In this strategy what you do is list your ideas, as many as can be generated.  Then you go back through the list you have of ideas again and highlight or mark in some way the ones that you like the best.  This is similar to using the process of elimination.  This and other creative problem solving strategies may be things you already either have done in the past or that you currently make use of.  They are tried and true methods, and they do work!

In the online situation students could use this method when answering lists or vocabulary words.  Teachers can have their students try out these strategies and they also can be encouraged to revise them.  Then they also could try to think of their own strategies.  Doing so involves your student in the process of higher order thinking, which is the ultimate goal of education and learning.
When problem solving the first step is to create a problem statement.  This allows you to really look at the problem, and of course the statement can be revised, but it is a start.  The statement then is taken and questions can be asked about it.  For example, you might ask if this is really the problem that you want resolved, or if it could be asked in a different way, and how that would affect the results. 

Advantages, Limitations, Unique Qualities and Overcoming Limitations is a creative problem solving strategy that allows one to look at the problems involved when solving issues. If you think of the obstacles that might arise, it really helps you get closer to your problem solving goal.

An evaluation matrix can be used where you have a chart along with ideas that are generation or where questions are asked.  There is also a rating scale.  This strategy works well when trying to look at specific criteria in your problem solving.
Helping students to learn how to solve their own problems goes a long way in assisting them to get along in life.  It gives them the needed tools that will guarantee a great future.
When considering problem solving have your students keep a journal on any issues they confront on a daily basis.  Doing so will cause them to see patterns in how they take care of and resolve issues.   It will also help them to learn from their own history and to try to do things differently for what did not work out or go so well.