Page 130 - Foundations of Learning, 4th Edition (Revised)
P. 130
Do you know someone who is good at solving problems? What makes this person a good problem solver?
Following is a list of some of the skills this person has likely developed.
Table 5.1 Skills Needed for Problem Solving
Being curious—wanting to find out more
Clarifying expectations—defining proficiency level
Collaborating—working together for mutual benefit
Exploring context—seeing the relationship of parts to the environment
Identifying assumptions—examining preconceptions/biases
Inquiring—asking key questions
Interpreting—adding meaning for better understanding
Managing resources—applying assets and means to important goals
Observing—seeing details in an environment/object
Persisting—continuing despite difficulties
Prioritizing—addressing what is most important
Transferring—using ideas in a new context
Using prior knowledge–integrating unprompted knowledge
Validating–using alternative methods to test results
From this list, find three skills that are your strengths and identify two skills you want to improve:
Skills that are 1.
my strengths: 2.
3.
Skills I want 1.
to improve: 2.
How do your problem solving skill strengths influence how you deal with problems? In what ways are your
skill weaknesses keeping you from being able to successfully solve problems? Strong problem solvers are
able to apply the skills they have while consistently working to improve skills at which they are less adept.
Though growth in these skill areas won’t make your life problem-free, it will enable you to face problems
and challenges with confidence and the best possible set of problem solving skills.
124 Foundations of Learning
