Smart Tools

Problem Solving: Easy and Interactive

Some high school students groan inwardly and stare morosely at the board once you dispense with the basic math lessons and reach problem-solving.

What is so difficult about problem-solving? Perhaps there is too much challenge in the problems that they solve. Or maybe some mathematical concepts have not yet been ingrained into their systems to fully understand immediately what needs to be done first.

Here are some tools and tips for your students to start liking problem-solving.

  • Give them something they can actually solve. Students don’t like problems because they can’t solve it. But those who can want more. Therefore, they must believe first that they can solve the problems you give them. Start out with easy problems before bombarding them with difficult ones. This boosts their confidence and makes them tackle the problems head-on with enthusiasm.
  • Teach them how to solve seemingly difficult problems. Students immediately assess a problem is difficult when the answer is not that obvious. But teach them how to actually take the first step in trying to solve it. If that doesn’t work, teach them to take a different first step. All that matters is that they try to solve the problem, which is how problem-solving is done in the first place.
  • Introduce problem-solving strategies. Since problem-solving has always been akin to solving mysteries, show them the tools needed in the process. The strategies they choose suggest the first step, and help them find the second step. They can actually draw a diagram, make a list, guess and check, divide and conquer,  look for a pattern, or start at the end.

Now that you are done on how to make problem-solving easier for them, here is how you can make it fun and interesting!

Interactive math sites are sprouting up everywhere in the Internet these days, and some are particularly geared towards the age group your high school students are in. They can use the different websites for additional lesson activities or math games—all contributing to their better understanding of the subject and the different mathematical tasks at hand.

  1. Searching for Solutions - introduces students to strategies and real-life practice activities for problem-solving skills. These include: finding a pattern, making a table or an organized list, using graphs, drawing a diagram, choosing multi-step problems, working backward or solving simpler problems.
  2. 21st Century Problem Solving - a more advanced problem-solving site, covering the principles of reliable problem solving and an encyclopedia of solved problems in math.
  3. 9th Grade Math Proficiency Test - NASA Lewis Learning Technologies Project - tests addition, multiplication, word-problem and basic algebraic skills. It also has answers and explanations for teachers.
  4. Electronic Games for Education in Math and Science (E-GEMS) - teaching materials using video games and computer-based explorations.
  5. Fermi Questions - Usually, students perceive word problems to only have one exact answer derived from one particular manner. But Fermi questions emphasize estimation, numerical reasoning, communicating in mathematics and questioning skills—all to encourage better problem-solving skills.
  6. Future of Math - Enhancing students’ appreciation for math could be made easier with this site since it is an established supporter of the use of blogs, digital cameras, digital portfolios, discussion forums, spreadsheets and other digital media.
  7. GO Solve Word Problems: Using graphic organizers to understand and solve word problems - This is an example of a program that incorporates mathematical situations such as word problems and comprehending them with graphic organizers.
  8. The Interactive Mathematics Classroom - For the complete interactive classroom experience, this digital library has it all, from third-party technology resources for math teachers to interactive whiteboard files, Powerpoint presentations, Excel spreadsheets, and other digital resources.
  9. Mathematics Software - Different programs like Basic Algebra Shape-Up and Word Problem Shape-up offer various assessments on how students break down problems into small, easily understood steps. This site also has step-by-step tutorials.
  10. Project INTERMATH - This is an extremely useful teaching tool in mathematics, in that it has interactive links to geometry, algebra and trigonometry, and the different concepts that go with them. Examples are Concurrency Theorems , Spheres , Sum of Unit Fractions and games such as Change for a Dollar, Friday 13, and The Salesperson's Journey.

Sources:

“Problem solving.” Retrieved October 15, 2008 from
http://mathforum.org/library/topics/problem_solving/?keyid=27947694&start_at=101&num_to_see=50
“To teach your students how to solve problems.” Retrieved October 15, 2008 from
http://pred.boun.edu.tr/ps/
Wilson, Jim. “Project InterMath.” Retrieved October 15, 2008 from
http://jwilson.coe.uga.edu/emt725/EMT725.html

(Published 27 October 2008, Smart Communications, Inc.)