Learning to Solve Problems

by David H. Jonassen

This book provides a comprehensive, up-to-date look at problem solving research and practice over the last fifteen years. The first chapter describes differences in types of problems, individual differences among problem-solvers, as well as the domain and context within which a problem is being solved. Part one describes six kinds of problems and the methods required to solve them. Part two goes beyond traditional discussions of case design and introduces six different purposes or functions of cases, the building blocks of problem-solving learning environments. It also describes methods for constructing cases to support problem solving. Part three introduces a number of cognitive skills required for studying cases and solving problems. Finally, Part four describes several methods for assessing problem solving. Key features includes:


Teaching Focus ? The book is not merely a review of research. It also provides specific research-based advice on how to design problem-solving learning environments. Illustrative Cases ? A rich array of cases illustrates how to build problem-solving learning environments. Part two introduces six different functions of cases and also describes the parameters of a case. Chapter Integration ? Key theories and concepts are addressed across chapters and links to other chapters are made explicit. The idea is to show how different kinds of problems, cases, skills, and assessments are integrated. Author expertise ? A prolific researcher and writer, the author has been researching and publishing books and articles on learning to solve problems for the past fifteen years.
This book is appropriate for advanced courses in instructional design and technology, science education, applied cognitive psychology, thinking and reasoning, and educational psychology. Instructional designers, especially those involved in designing problem-based learning, as well as curriculum designers who seek new ways of structuring curriculum will find it an invaluable reference tool.

Genres: Education

472 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Elliedakota · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most valuable education book I have ever read, hands down.

[Gordon Eldridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jonassens' book is divided into three parts. The first presents a typology of problems and then elaborates on each type by defining and describing them and then outlining the elements which would make an ideal environment in which the solving of each type of problem could be learned. The second part looks at the different ways in which cases, the building-blocks or problem solving, can be used. The final section examines how problem solving can best be assessed.

The writing is clear and extremely well organised. Explanations are thorough and draw extensively on the research base. Numerous examples are given from a variety of situations ( though more from Science and Math than from other subject areas). In his preface, Jonassen advises that the book is best used as a reference handbook rather than being read cover to cover. I read it cover to cover and found that doing so gave me an excellent overview of the issues surrounding the teaching of problem solving. Jonassen is easily the leading expert in this field. The book should be enormously useful to teachers of all subjects, who may prefer to use it as a handbook as Jonassen suggests and zero in on the kinds of problems they wish students to solve in their subject areas, and to curriculum writers, who will find in this book everything they need to put problem solving at the centre of curriculum design.