Environmental Education

By Khan

Key words; Meaning and
Definition of Problem solving method, The Problem solving Method of teaching , Tips
for effective use of Problem solving method, Procedural steps of Problem
solving method , Advantages and Disadvantages of Problem-Based, Advantages
of Problem-Based Learning, Disadvantages of Problem-Based Learning

The Problem solving Method
of teaching

Problem-solving
method is a scientific method for teaching especially for science subjects. In
this method students take on responsibility for their own learning. Science
subject is one of the most important subjects in education system. Traditional
teaching methods are lack of developing critical thinking and inability to
foster holistic learning environment for school children. The purpose of the science
subject is to develop skills of critical thinking, measure, observe, analyze
data, classify, synthesize, and formulate conclusions, process information and solving
difficult problems, etc. in Problem-solving method creativity in an essential
element of science subject.

Problem-solving
method need motivation and action to solve the problems on the part of students,
resolve conflicts, discuss alternatives solutions, and focus on developing
critical thinking is a vital element of the curriculum. Problem-solving method
provides students opportunities to implement their acquired knowledge and
skills in a meaningful real-life.

Meaning and Definition of
Problem solving method

In a problem solving method, children learn by
working on problems. This enables the students to learn new knowledge by facing
the problems to be solved. The students are expected to observe, understand,
analyze, interpret find solutions, and perform applications that lead to a
holistic understanding of the concept. This method develops scientific process
skills. This method helps in developing brainstorming approach to learning
concepts (Dr. Maheshwari).

In
Problem-solving method the students select the problem from the real-life
situation and then try to understand the science behind it, Problem-solving
method is based on common sense. It does not begin with text books knowledge.
But it proceeds from personal experience about a problem and then gradually
forming concepts through reading relevant books about it. Problem-solving
method is a process from practical to theory not from theory to practical. In
Problem-solving method Knowledge is not a goal but an outcome of working on
tasks. In Problem-solving method students deal with real life world problems and
they like to deal with them. Students like concrete things where they can
touch, manipulate things to solving a problem, for that this method is very
useful.

The
purpose Problem solving is to find a problem; determining the cause of the
problem, identifying alternatives solution and implementing the solution.

The
aim and objective of Problem-solving method is to learn knowledge by solving a problem.
It begins with a problem and need step by step well planned meaningful,
well-integrated activity. The purpose of problem is to test the student in a
natural.

Objectives of
Problem-Solving method are;

• The Will to solve
  a problem


• Improve the
  skills of pupils’ and abilities to solve the problems


• Improve awareness
  in students about problem-solving strategies


• Teach the
  pupils to solve a problems in a systematic way


• one problem
  can be solved by multiple ways


• Improve student’s skills and abilities to select a better solution techniques
  to solve the problem


• Improve students’ abilities to get correct answers to a problems by
  analyzing the problem


• Teach them Logical interpretation of the data by adequate and valid
  experiences of others and his

Tips
for effective use of Problem solving method

• Ask questions about the problem and make suggestions to solve the
  problem. Ask students to formulate a hypothesis and predict the answer. It
  will help them to develop critical and analytical thinking and inductive
  and deductive thinking skills


• Encourage group work in Students, it will help them, and they will think
  more critically and deeply about the steps needed to solve the problem

• If students are unable to find the solution to a problem, try to find
  where they are having trouble. Identify the area of the problem, disuse
  the possible solution to that problem and move them in process

• Aware the students that the process is more important than the solution
  


• Provide minimal assistance to students to solve the problem
  only when they needed the most to overcome any obstacles which harder for
  them

• Teacher work as a facilitator. Teacher must motivate the students
  because it is a child-directed learning method. Teacher must provide opportunities
  to all students to contribute in process and towards the success of the
  activity

Procedural steps of Problem
solving method

The procedural steps can be divided
in phases

v  Pre-active
/Planning phase

v  Active
/ Execution phase

v  Post-active/Evaluation
phase

v  The
Pre-active / planning phase includes:

Limitations of the problem-solving
method

·        
Difficult to teach theoretically
topics of curriculum with this method

·        
lack of suitable
books and references about this method

·        
This is method not
suitable for all students

·        
This Method does
not suit lower classes students

·        
This is a mental
activity dominates method. Hence it neglects physical and practical
experiences.

·        
This method generates
behavior which is destructive and drains the creative energy of the students. Sometime
jealous students try to sabotage the ideas of others with whom they disagreed.

·        
Lack  of talented teachers to guide this method

·        
Time consuming
method and resource constraints. It is expensive  and time consuming method

Advantages and Disadvantages
of Problem-Based

Below
are the advantages and disadvantages of problem-based learning:

Advantages of Problem-Based
Learning

 Development of Long-Term Knowledge Retention

·        
It helps students to retain and recall
information. This method reinforces learning
and understanding of subject matter, making it easier to remember later.

 Use of Diverse Instruction Types

·        
This method can be used to meet the diverse
learning needs and styles of different students and effectively engage a
diverse classroom in the process. 

Grouping activities in
problem-based learning will allow them to:

• This method  deals with real-life issues that require
  real-life solutions and help weak students who struggle with abstract
  concepts

• It help the  students who don’t excel during solo work,
  they learn will in small-group and large-group learning activities

Continuous Engagement

·        
Problem-based learning motivate and engage in the process of activity

·        
In this method engagement, students collaborate
with each other to solve real-life problem that inject excitement into students
 

Development of Transferable
Skills

·        
Problem-based learning imparts knowledge and develops
skills which they can use in real-world scenarios

Improvement of Teamwork and
Interpersonal Skills

·        
Problem-based learning helps students to
interact and communicate with each other’s, with this method students build transferable skills based on teamwork
and collaboration.

Disadvantages of
Problem-Based Learning

 Potentially Poorer Performance on Tests

Problem-based learning Effect
students standardized tests, because of limited time to read book and knowledge
needed to achieve high scores

Student Unpreparedness

Not all the students can get
benefits from Problem-based learning, but they feel disengaged as a result they
can’t handle this type of exercise

Teacher Unpreparedness

Teacher is not competent for
problem-based teaching activity or he is new to this method and lack of experience 

Time-Consuming Assessment

Problem based learning and monitoring
required plenty of time which makes it time-consuming