2. Topics to be discussed…
What is a Problem?
What is the heuristics for problem solving?
What is the problem statement?
What is problem solving?
3. Lets try to take a look….
Margaret and Ian have cats and birds. They counted all the
heads and got 10. They counted all the feet and got 34.
How many birds and cats do they have?
Is this a problem?
Why?
4. So what is a problem?
A problem is a statement or a daily life situation that requires a solution.
A problem exist when a solution is not immediately obvious.
A Situation
Barrier
Initial State Goal State (Answer)
5. Types of A Problem
ROUTINE PROBLEM NON-ROUTINE PROBLEM
Text-book problems
Application if basic skills
Involve simple mathematical operations
Has obvious sequence steps
Need understanding, retrieve information
given, choose the operation and apply
algorithm
Complex problems
Require more than one mathematical
operation
Need understanding and synthesis, retrieve
and organize given information, identify
strategies and apply selected one.
Various strategies/methods
Using critical and creative thinking skills
6. How do you solve a problem?
Heuristic: A method” rules of thumb” educated guesses, intuitive judgements
or simply common sense.
What are the popular Heuristics?
George Polya’s Model Krulik & Rudnick’s Model
Understand the problem
Devise a plan
Carry out the plan
Look back
Read the Problem
Explore
Select a strategy
Solve
Look back
7. Heuristic Method
“A method of teaching which involves our placing the students as far as
possible in the attitude of a discoverer”
-Henry Edward Armstrong
A method by which pupil is put in the position of a pioneer and he finds his
way along the path of knowledge as did those who first discovered the facts,
principles and laws which are known to all”.
-W M Ryburn
8. Essential Conditions of Heuristic Learning
It provides the student freedom of action
It provides an environment, which is responsive.
It encourages the student to learn
It provides teacher’s guidance whenever required
9. Where we can apply?
There is an encouragement for the process of
searching
There is respect for creative thinking
The new ideas are welcomed
Mistakes could be done and at the same time they can
be corrected.
10. Objective of Heuristic Method
To develop among students the ability of self-learning.
To develop among students the ability of critical thinking.
To develop among students the attitude of logical thinking.
To develop among students the attitude of accepting things based on blind
faith.
To develop among students the scientific thinking.
11. Principles of Heuristic Method
• Principle of freedom
• Principle of experience
• Principle of activity or learning by doing
• Principles of purposefulness
• Principle of logical thinking
• Principle of play-way
• Principle of individual work
12. George Polya’s Model
1. Understanding a Problem
A clear understanding of the question and the unknown is essential for
deciding what information is needed( information processing)
To consider which solution strategies and what answers are reasonable.
State the problem in your own words
Decide what unknown is
Decide what information is needed
13. George Polya’s Model cont.….
The Meaning of the Problem Statement
The ability to understand the crux of the problem; what/which information
is available/not available or relevant/irrelevant? What is task involved
embedded in the problem.
An ability to restate the problem in your own words to ensure a more
successful transition to the next phase.
14. George Polya’s Model Cont.….
2. Devise a Plan
Analyze various alternative solution strategies
Choose the most appropriate plan
Novice problem solvers might use a relatively inefficient trial &
error approach until something works
15. George Polya’s Model Cont.….
3. Carryout the Plan
Carrying out the plan devised devise from the previous step
Careful monitoring the solution process to check whether the
plan is executed accurately & whether it is effective.
16. George Polya’s Model Cont.….
4. Look Back (Review)
Once a solution is obtained, check the results …
Does the solution make sense?
Is it reasonable?
Does it answer the original question?
Decide if there are other solutions
Is there any other way the problem could be solved? Can produce the same answer?
Is there a better way?
17. Analyze..
Sluggish Progress
A slug fell into a ditch 18 inches deep. Each day the slug moved 6 inches up the wall
of the ditch, only to slip back 3 inches at night. How many days will it take the
sluggish slug to reach the top of the ditch wall?
Given:
The Height of the ditch is 18 inches deep and the movement of the slug per day is 6
inches and slip back 3 inches at night.
6-3 = 3 x 6 = 18.
Answer : 6 days
18. What thinking process did you go through?
Understand what is the problem?
Process the information related in the problem? What is important/needed?
So what now? What are my alternatives?
Strategizing
Decision making
Implement your decision
Review/Reflect…is there a better way?
19. Problem Solving
Is a systematic process that uses one’s knowledge, experience, thinking skills and various
strategies in order to solve and make decision.
Problem solving skills or strategy
Understanding the Problem; understand and represent the problem
Processing information; selecting or planning the solution
Finding alternative/strategies
Decision making; executing the plan
Review; evaluating the result
Accept responsibility. Learning from mistakes. Perseverance. Confidence.
Principle of freedom – there be no restrictions that prohibit an agent from saying what he wants to say.
Principle of experience – inspires values that help create a shared experience vision within org. by applying consistently across several projects and initiatives.
Principle of activity or learning by doing – student engagement and his hands on task oriented process education.
Principles of purposefulness
Principle of logical thinking
Principle of play-way
Principle of individual work