Chapter 9
Development of Problem Solving Skills
Review of Problem Solving Skills
Category description: The skills used in problem solving are those that are needed to identify and
define a problem, state the goal, generate, and evaluate solution paths.
Skill
Examples of Use
If you want to save money for a new car, you
need to know how much money you will
need (cost of car, insurance, title, etc.) and
make a plan for saving money in installations
to reach your goal.
b. identifying any
problem as either welldefined or ill-defined
and adjust your solution
plan according to the
type of problem
Description
When solving a
problem a CT will be
clear about stating the
goal and the ways of
getting from the start
state to the goal.
Most real-life
problems are illdefined; that is there
are many possible
goals and ways to
achieve them
c. using graphs,
diagrams, hierarchical
trees, matrices, and
models as solution aids
It is useful to use a
visual representation
to solve many
problems.
Draw the information given in math and
word problems as an aid to solving them.
d. devising a quality
representation of a
problem
Visual
representations of
problems can assist
with comprehension
and serve as a
problem solving aid
There are many
different
strategies that can
help solve
problems, CT knows
how to
select from among
them
Several strategies for
solving problems
were presented in the
book. CT knows
when each is the
A problem is described verbally. The task for
the CT is to depict the information in a
graphic display in order to solve it.
a. planning and
monitoring a strategy for
finding a solution
e. selecting the problem
solving strategies that
are appropriate for the
problem
f. using all of the
following strategies:
mean-ends analysis;
working backwards;
Several ways of increasing sales are
described. CT redefines the problem to
include other ways to increase profits (e.g.
cut inventory).
A problem involving categories of
information is approached
with a matrix, which is well suited for this
sort of problem.
When designing a desk with a large surface
area that takes up only a small amount of
space, use the method of contradiction—you
may end up with a desk that expands and
folds for storage.
simplification;
generalization and
specialization; random
search and trial- anderror; rules; hints; splithalf method;
brainstorming;
contradiction; analogies
and metaphors; and
consulting an expert
appropriate tool for
solving a problem.
g. demonstrating an
awareness of functional
fixedness so as to avoid
it
Functional fixedness
is the inability to see
how something can
be used in a way that
is different from its
usual function.
In real life, we often
have information
available that is not
relevant to solving a
problem.
h. distinguishing
between relevant and
irrelevant information
i. understanding how
world views can
constrain the problem
solving process
j. Recognizing the
critical role of
persistence
We all operate in a
culture and we often
cannot “see”
solutions that are not
culturally acceptable.
One of the best
predictors of
success when solving
problems is persisting
until a good solution
is found
When you use a shoe as a hammer or a
stapler to fix a hem, you are demonstrating
that you can “break out of” functional
fixedness.
Focusing on climate-related information can
help us solve the problem of climate change
without being side-tracked with irrelevant
information that paints political parties in
good or bad ways—political digressions
unrelated to climate change.
In some cultures people often barter for
goods when money is short, but few people
in cultures where this is not customary think
about the possibility of bartering.
When encountering a difficult problem, CT
doesn’t quit when a solution is not
immediately obvious, but keeps working on
it.