PROBLEM SOLVING CYCLE
FOR EDUCATION
SUBMITTED TO, SUBMITTED BY,
Sumaira Naz
Dr. Muhammad Akram Malik
Roll# 08
Institute Of Southern Punjab M.Phil Education
Multan. 2nd Semester
What is a problem?
PROBLEM
A problem is a part of a situation, that has
some kind of barrier, so that it cannot
complete its function and cannot reach its
purpose (Shibata, 1998).
Anytime actual performance does not
match expectations.
For example: students retentation,
budget, policy implementation, outdated
curriculum etc.
PROBLEM SOLVING CYCLE
FOR EDUCATION
A systematic process to identifying, analyzing and
resolving educational problems.
Focusing on improving student learning outcomes,
teaching practices, and school operations.
Problem solving is a tool, a skill and a process;
It is a TOOL because it can help you solve an
immediate problem or to achieve a goal.
It is a SKILL because once you have learnt it you
can use it repeatedly.
It is also a PROCESS because it involves taking a
number of steps
Evolution of problem solving
approach (19th Century)
John Dewey
‘Reflective thinking’
• Identifying and
formulating a problem
• Collecting facts that
lead to a solution
• Examining each
solution
• Decide the action to be
taken
20th Century
• Learner-centered JEROME BURNER
• Collaborative
• Discovery-based
learning( Jerome
Bruner)
students should
"learn by doing" and
actively participate in
the learning process.
21st Century
Focuses on Information technology,
globalization, personalized learning
Personalized learning involved the
problem solving approach which
emphasize not just academic knowledge
but also creativity, communication,
collaboration, and digital literacy.
SKILLS NEED FOR SOLVING A
PROBLEM
Knowledge
Motivation
Experience
Communication skills
Learning skills
Group skills
STEPS OF PROBLEM SOLVING CYCLE
1. Identify the problem
2. Analyze the problem
3. Generating possible solutions
4. Select the best solution
5. Implement the solution
6. Evaluation and revision
STEP-1
IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM
IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM
• Involve understanding the task
• Gain a clear understanding of what needs to
be
. solved and why it is important
1. Where did the problem start?
2. What do i know about the problem? What is the
current state and desired state?
3. How is it happening?
4. When is it happening?
6. Whom is it happening to? No blaming
7. Why is it happening?
8. Which part causes it?
STEP 2
ANALYSE THE PROBLEM
ANALYSE THE PROBLEM
Problem analysis often involves
collecting and analyzing data.
Conducting research, reviewing existing
knowledge, or consulting experts or
peers.
Making decisions based on facts rather
than assumptions or guesswork, leading
to more reliable outcomes.
ANALYSE THE PROBLEM
Helps in deciding which resources
(time, people, budget) are necessary
and ensures that efforts are not wasted
on unnecessary actions
Helps in developing long-term
solutions instead of quick fixes
STEP 3
GENERATING POSSIBLE
SOLUTIONS
BRAIN STROMING
• Brainstorming is a
process of group
discussion to produce
the diverse ideas.
• Lead to innovative,
out-of-the-box
solutions.
A systematic approach to questioning, ensure
you don’t miss any important areas.
If you don’t ask the right questions, you can’t
possibly get the right answers.
The best questions nearly always start with:
WHAT? WHY? WHEN?
WHO? WHERE? HOW MUCH?
Because such questions cannot be
answered with a single word, but require some
form of comment.
STEP 4
SELECT THE BEST
SOLUTION
SELECT THE BEST SOLUTION
It involves,
Evaluate the proposed solutions
Considering their feasibility, effectiveness, and
potential outcomes
Best solution is selected based on the careful
judgement, which is supposed to solve the
problem swiftly and smoothly
STEP 5
IMPLEMENT THE SOLUTION
IMPLEMENT THE SOLUTION
The important step of the problem-solving
process is to practically solve the
problem by implementing the selected
solution.
Execute your plan of action.
Decide how you will move forward with your
decision by determining the steps
STEP 6
EVALUATION AND REVISION
EVALUATION AND REVISION
• To judge the effectiveness of the solution
• Monitor your decision
• To redefine the problem and revise the
problem-solving process in case the initial
solution fails to manage the problem
effectively
EVALUATION AND REVISION
Assess the results of your solution.
• Are you satisfied with the results?
• Did your solution resolve the problem?
• Did it produce a new problem?
• Do you have to modify your solution to
achieve better results?
MERITS OF PROBLEM SOLVING
It help to stimulate thinking
Improved student outcomes
Enhanced teaching practices
Data-informed decision-making
Continuous school improvement
It help to enhance the reasoning power
Helps to increase knowledge
Discussion help to develop the power of expression
of the students
Learning become more interesting
It gives power of critical judgement
DEMERITS OF PROBLEM SOLVING
Limited resources.
Resistance to change.
Insufficient data.
Limited stakeholder engagement.
Complexity of educational problems
It involves lot of times.
It need very capable teacher to provide
effective guidance and knowledge to
students.
THANKS
