Essential components of a problem, Stages of Problem Solving, Problem Solving Strategies, Factors affecting problem solving

1. PROBLEM SOLVING
M. Vijayalakshmi
M.Sc., M.Phil. (Life Sciences), M.Ed., M.Phil. (Education), NET (Education), PGDBI
Assistant Professor (Former),
Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya College of Education (Autonomous),
Coimbatore – 641020.

2. Problem Solving
(Current and Desire State)
•When there is a discrepancy between our current status
and some goal that we wish to achieve, with no obvious
ways to bridge the gap then a problem is said be
present.

3. Essential components of a problem
•Original state (OS)
•Goal state (GS)
•Rules and restrictions – govern movement from
original state to goal state

4. Stages of Problem Solving
•Representing the problem
•Generating possible solutions
•Evaluating the solution

5. Problem Solving Strategies
•Trial and error – Narrow range of solution
•Testing hypothesis – Systematic approach to solve problem
•Use of algorithms – Using all the formula’s until you get the
correct answer
•Heuristics – Rule of the thumb – means-ends analysis,
working backward

6. Factors affecting problem solving
•Characteristics of the problem –
Ill defined problems and complex problems are difficult
to be solved.
After M.Ed. ?
•Perceptual obstacles –
Mental set
Functional fixedness and
Confirmation bias.