Problem solving method

Vineesha Babu
Physical science
Roll no 83
 Problem solving method

• Education has been viewed as a problem solving

procedure to enable the individual to meet and solve the
problems of real life.
• A problem is essentially a felt difficulty. It arises when
there is no habitual or readymade solutions to a given
situation or question
According to B.F Skinner,
“ Problem solving is a process of overcoming
difficulties that appear to interfere with the
attainment of a goal.”
According to Gates,
“A problem exist for an individual when he
has a definite goal, he cannot reach by the
behaviour pattern which he already has
available”
Characteristics of a problem in a learning situation

1. Clear and definite

2. Challenging and hence interest generating
3. Suitable to the age, needs and mental and physical capacity of
pupils.
4. Related to actual life situations
5. Understandable to the learners who face it
6. Thought provoking
7. Correlated to the existing knowledge of the learners
8. Workable with resource available
9. Feasible within the time available
According John Dewey identified the following steps,

1. Identification of the problem

2. Defining the problem
3. Collection of relevant data
4. Evaluating and organizing data
5. Formulation and evaluation of hypothesis
6. Formation of strategies
7. Applying solution
Step-1: Identification of the problem
First step in problem solving where the
individual is confronted by some specific
problem that requires solution.
It may be a theoretical or practical
problem.
Step-2: Defining the problem

In order to understand the problem, the learner

start analysing the situation and defines it in definite
terms.
Step-3: Collection of relevant data

Collect all relevant information concerning the problem

by all possible means. This will help the individual to
widen the span of his knowledge relevant to the
problem.
Step-4: Evaluating & Organizing

The collected information is then evaluated properly to

identify the essential data which is then organized and
classified systematically.
Step-5: Formulation &Evaluation of Hypothesis

By studying the organized data the investigator tries to

think of various tentative or possible solutions of the
problem in hand.
Those hypothesis which are not correct or practicable are
discarded and eliminated one by one finally reaching the
best solution of the problem.
Step-6: Formation of strategies

A suitable strategy must be selected for finding the best

solution for the problem in hand.
Step-7: Applying the solution

The best solution thus arrived at is then applied to solve

the problem in hand. The validity of the interference can
be further verified by utilising it in the solution of various
similar problems.
Role of Teachers in Problem Solving

1. Help the pupils to locate and select the problem to be

solved.
problem should have significance and value it should be according
to the mental age of the children.
It should be neither too difficult nor too easy for the class

2.Create moderate motivation in learner

Extreme motivation and excessive emotional involvement hinders
productive thinking.
3. Encourage divergent thinking
Encourage the students to think in various directions and searching
for different solutions for a problematic situation.

4.Present the problem as a whole

Then the students will have the perception of the total situation for
the solution
5. Guide the pupils
Guide the pupils in collecting, evaluating and organising the relevant d
about the problem from various sources.

6.Give the practice on various kinds of problems

To develop proper mental set in students so that they may transfer the
skills in solving problems in future.
Merits of problem solving method
1. Children get training in the art of problem solving in actual life
situations. This method inculcates the problem solving attitude.
2. It develops habits of planning, thinking and reasoning power of
the pupil
3. It develops the power of critical judgement as pupils have to
think a lot, for arriving at correct solution of the problem through
practice.
4. It is also helpful in making the students resourceful and self-
reliant
5. Pupils have efficient opportunities to express themselves while
discussions are going on
6. Pupils gets training in-corporation and fellow feeling
7. It inculcates the habit of open-mindedness and tolerance
8. Learning by doing and learning by observing the concrete situations

make the teaching-learning process more meaningful

9. The teacher-taught relationships are strengthened. Teacher is a
friend, philosopher and guide
10. The teacher gets valuable social experiences.
Demerits
1. It is difficult on the part on the teacher to organize the content
of science according to the needs of the pupils.
2. It is time consuming method
3. This method is not proper for immature pupils because they
cannot follow the relevant material of science properly
4. Textbooks and written material on these lines are not easily
available
5. There is dearth of trained and competent teachers who can put
this method into practice
6. Not all students can be expected to solve problems with their
own efforts.
Thank you