Problem Solving for Students
Essential Collaborative Skill for the 21st Century Workplace
Problem solving is necessary for more than math and technology careers. It is important for students to be exposed critical thinking situations while in diverse groups.
The 21st century workplace is increasingly data and technology driven. As business and industry cry out for improved skills in these areas the government is responding with legislature and initiatives. Increasingly, it is falling on schools and teachers to improve the employability skills of their students. The difficulty lies in what to teach and how to teach it, since not all schools can afford to keep up with the changes in technology.
Problem solving is a technology skill that can be taught without technology. It is essential for students to learn to think critically and solve both typical and unique problems. Since technology is rapidly changing it is crucial to hone students’ skills so that they can confidently face the unexpected and adapt to whatever changes occur. Though some common techniques can be taught, much more can be gained by working in a group.
Group Work
Assigning students to work in a diverse group is a simple way to encourage them to develop problem solving skills. When working in a group, students have to figure out how to work together. If the students in the group come from different backgrounds and have different abilities there is a need to learn each other’s strengths in order to accomplish the given task, whether that task is to read and discuss an article or create a working model of a canal.
Creative thinking and problem solving are frequently seen as a task for an individual, but an individual can only build these skills from what he or she has experienced or learned. Innovation comes from unique combinations of people and ideas.
For example, consider a group of students with 5 sheets of paper, some tape and the task to build a bridge capable of holding weight. One student might think to tear the paper and tape it together to create a bridge shape. Another might not be able to think of a bridge design, but knows that paper is stronger when rolled into the shape of a straw. Together, these students could design and build a strong bridge.
Incorporating Other Skills
Though the task itself might include problem solving and critical thinking, the need to work together also incorporates other necessary 21st century skills. The more exposure students have to diverse groups the more opportunities they have to develop fresh ideas. It also breaks down the perceived barriers between disciplines and demographics.
Reconsider the bridge example. Suppose the group contained a student strong in math, one strong in written expression and an artist. The presentation of their solution to the task could contain not only the bridge but also a scale drawing with measurements (or a perception of it as a real bridge) and a written explanation as to how they worked together to solve the problem. Thus, a problem that appears to need a team of engineers to solve is not really complete without an interdisciplinary approach.
