problem solving in a classroom

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Teaching problem solving.

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Tips and Techniques

Expert vs. novice problem solvers, communicate.

• Have students  identify specific problems, difficulties, or confusions . Don’t waste time working through problems that students already understand.
• If students are unable to articulate their concerns, determine where they are having trouble by  asking them to identify the specific concepts or principles associated with the problem.
• In a one-on-one tutoring session, ask the student to  work his/her problem out loud . This slows down the thinking process, making it more accurate and allowing you to access understanding.
• When working with larger groups you can ask students to provide a written “two-column solution.” Have students write up their solution to a problem by putting all their calculations in one column and all of their reasoning (in complete sentences) in the other column. This helps them to think critically about their own problem solving and helps you to more easily identify where they may be having problems. Two-Column Solution (Math) Two-Column Solution (Physics)

Encourage Independence

• Model the problem solving process rather than just giving students the answer. As you work through the problem, consider how a novice might struggle with the concepts and make your thinking clear
• Have students work through problems on their own. Ask directing questions or give helpful suggestions, but  provide only minimal assistance and only when needed to overcome obstacles.
• Don’t fear  group work ! Students can frequently help each other, and talking about a problem helps them think more critically about the steps needed to solve the problem. Additionally, group work helps students realize that problems often have multiple solution strategies, some that might be more effective than others

Be sensitive

• Frequently, when working problems, students are unsure of themselves. This lack of confidence may hamper their learning. It is important to recognize this when students come to us for help, and to give each student some feeling of mastery. Do this by providing  positive reinforcement to let students know when they have mastered a new concept or skill.

Encourage Thoroughness and Patience

• Try to communicate that  the process is more important than the answer so that the student learns that it is OK to not have an instant solution. This is learned through your acceptance of his/her pace of doing things, through your refusal to let anxiety pressure you into giving the right answer, and through your example of problem solving through a step-by step process.

Experts (teachers) in a particular field are often so fluent in solving problems from that field that they can find it difficult to articulate the problem solving principles and strategies they use to novices (students) in their field because these principles and strategies are second nature to the expert. To teach students problem solving skills,  a teacher should be aware of principles and strategies of good problem solving in his or her discipline .

The mathematician George Polya captured the problem solving principles and strategies he used in his discipline in the book  How to Solve It: A New Aspect of Mathematical Method (Princeton University Press, 1957). The book includes  a summary of Polya’s problem solving heuristic as well as advice on the teaching of problem solving.

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Problem Solving in the Classroom

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Success Story

Last week during our class meetings, I noticed a disturbing habit developing among my students. Sometimes they don't want to switch seats and move away from their best friends, and sometimes they want to be the last one standing (when we do an activity that has us sit down after our turn). Then we talked about how this might make everyone else feel and how it might affect our class community. We agreed that this was a problem because it did not make everyone feel welcome. Finally, I asked them for suggestions to solve the problem.

We have been working on problem solving all year. I started by teaching my students that solutions always need to be related, respectful, reasonable, and helpful. This is a challenge for students who often think of punishments before solutions. As we started talking about possible solutions to this problem, the first few solutions were not surprisingly more like punishments, such as, having the culprits sit out of future greetings and activities until they were being kind, or skipping offenders in the circle. However, the more we talked, the more they began to consider ways to prevent the problem from even occurring. Eventually we settled on two possible preventative solutions:

1) they could come to the circle separately and choose a place to sit away from close friends so they wouldn't be tempted to resist moving.

2) we could make assigned seats around the circle so that no one would feel uncomfortable about moving if necessary.

At this point, I told the class I would consider both solutions. It seems that I've taught them well about how to solve problems fairly because immediately one student suggested that I let the class vote. It was hard to argue with her logic and truthfully both solutions were acceptable. So this morning we had a vote. I had the kids close their eyes and raise their hands. They voted (20-3) to have assigned seats. When they opened their eyes and I announced the winning solution they started fist pumping with excitement.

I couldn't help but smile. I could never have imagined such a positive reaction to the idea of assigned seats for class activities. In fact, I suspect that had I forced the idea of assigned seats on them as a "punishment" or consequence, I would have heard lots of complaints and frustration. Yet when they could appreciate the problem and come to the solution on their own, they were more than willing to accept the idea. We immediately created a chart with assigned circle seats and by the afternoon they were already reminding each other where they needed to sit. Love it! Sarah Werstuik, Washington, D.C.

Teach Students the 4 Problem-Solving Steps

Another way to solve problems in the classroom is to teach students the 4 Problem-Solving Steps.

Post a copy of the 4 Problem-Solving Steps where students can refer to it (maybe next to a "peace table").

Problem-Solving Steps

• Do something else. (Find another game or activity.)
• Leave long enough for a cooling-off period, then follow-up with the next steps.
• Tell the other person how you feel. Let him or her know you don’t like what is happening.
• Listen to what the other person says about how he or she feels and what he or she doesn’t like.
• Share what you think you did to contribute to the problem.
• Tell the other person what you are willing to do differently.
• Work out a plan for sharing or taking turns.
• Put it on the class meeting agenda. (This can also be a first choice and is not meant as a last resort.)
• Talk it over with a parent, teacher, or friend.

After discussing these skills, have the children role-play the following hypothetical situations. Have them solve each of the situations four different ways (one for each of the steps).

• Fighting over whose turn it is to use the tetherball.
• Shoving in line.
• Calling people bad names.
• Fighting over whose turn it is to sit by the window in the car or bus.

Teachers can put the Four Problem-Solving Steps on a laminated poster for students to refer to. Some teachers require that children use these steps before they put a problem on the agenda. Other teachers prefer the class meeting process because it teaches other skills. Instead of making one better than the other (class meeting or one-on-one), let children choose which option they would prefer at the moment.

This tool and many others can be found in the Positive Discipline Teacher Tool Cards .

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Teaching Problem-Solving Skills

Many instructors design opportunities for students to solve “problems”. But are their students solving true problems or merely participating in practice exercises? The former stresses critical thinking and decision­ making skills whereas the latter requires only the application of previously learned procedures.

Problem solving is often broadly defined as "the ability to understand the environment, identify complex problems, review related information to develop, evaluate strategies and implement solutions to build the desired outcome" (Fissore, C. et al, 2021). True problem solving is the process of applying a method – not known in advance – to a problem that is subject to a specific set of conditions and that the problem solver has not seen before, in order to obtain a satisfactory solution.

Below you will find some basic principles for teaching problem solving and one model to implement in your classroom teaching.

Principles for teaching problem solving

• Model a useful problem-solving method . Problem solving can be difficult and sometimes tedious. Show students how to be patient and persistent, and how to follow a structured method, such as Woods’ model described below. Articulate your method as you use it so students see the connections.
• Teach within a specific context . Teach problem-solving skills in the context in which they will be used by students (e.g., mole fraction calculations in a chemistry course). Use real-life problems in explanations, examples, and exams. Do not teach problem solving as an independent, abstract skill.
• Help students understand the problem . In order to solve problems, students need to define the end goal. This step is crucial to successful learning of problem-solving skills. If you succeed at helping students answer the questions “what?” and “why?”, finding the answer to “how?” will be easier.
• Take enough time . When planning a lecture/tutorial, budget enough time for: understanding the problem and defining the goal (both individually and as a class); dealing with questions from you and your students; making, finding, and fixing mistakes; and solving entire problems in a single session.
• Ask questions and make suggestions . Ask students to predict “what would happen if …” or explain why something happened. This will help them to develop analytical and deductive thinking skills. Also, ask questions and make suggestions about strategies to encourage students to reflect on the problem-solving strategies that they use.
• Link errors to misconceptions . Use errors as evidence of misconceptions, not carelessness or random guessing. Make an effort to isolate the misconception and correct it, then teach students to do this by themselves. We can all learn from mistakes.

Woods’ problem-solving model

Define the problem.

• The system . Have students identify the system under study (e.g., a metal bridge subject to certain forces) by interpreting the information provided in the problem statement. Drawing a diagram is a great way to do this.
• Known(s) and concepts . List what is known about the problem, and identify the knowledge needed to understand (and eventually) solve it.
• Unknown(s) . Once you have a list of knowns, identifying the unknown(s) becomes simpler. One unknown is generally the answer to the problem, but there may be other unknowns. Be sure that students understand what they are expected to find.
• Units and symbols . One key aspect in problem solving is teaching students how to select, interpret, and use units and symbols. Emphasize the use of units whenever applicable. Develop a habit of using appropriate units and symbols yourself at all times.
• Constraints . All problems have some stated or implied constraints. Teach students to look for the words "only", "must", "neglect", or "assume" to help identify the constraints.
• Criteria for success . Help students consider, from the beginning, what a logical type of answer would be. What characteristics will it possess? For example, a quantitative problem will require an answer in some form of numerical units (e.g., $/kg product, square cm, etc.) while an optimization problem requires an answer in the form of either a numerical maximum or minimum.

Think about it

• “Let it simmer”.  Use this stage to ponder the problem. Ideally, students will develop a mental image of the problem at hand during this stage.
• Identify specific pieces of knowledge . Students need to determine by themselves the required background knowledge from illustrations, examples and problems covered in the course.
• Collect information . Encourage students to collect pertinent information such as conversion factors, constants, and tables needed to solve the problem.

Plan a solution

• Consider possible strategies . Often, the type of solution will be determined by the type of problem. Some common problem-solving strategies are: compute; simplify; use an equation; make a model, diagram, table, or chart; or work backwards.
• Choose the best strategy . Help students to choose the best strategy by reminding them again what they are required to find or calculate.

Carry out the plan

• Be patient . Most problems are not solved quickly or on the first attempt. In other cases, executing the solution may be the easiest step.
• Be persistent . If a plan does not work immediately, do not let students get discouraged. Encourage them to try a different strategy and keep trying.

Encourage students to reflect. Once a solution has been reached, students should ask themselves the following questions:

• Does the answer make sense?
• Does it fit with the criteria established in step 1?
• Did I answer the question(s)?
• What did I learn by doing this?
• Could I have done the problem another way?

If you would like support applying these tips to your own teaching, CTE staff members are here to help.  View the  CTE Support  page to find the most relevant staff member to contact. 

• Fissore, C., Marchisio, M., Roman, F., & Sacchet, M. (2021). Development of problem solving skills with Maple in higher education. In: Corless, R.M., Gerhard, J., Kotsireas, I.S. (eds) Maple in Mathematics Education and Research. MC 2020. Communications in Computer and Information Science, vol 1414. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-81698-8_15
• Foshay, R., & Kirkley, J. (1998). Principles for Teaching Problem Solving. TRO Learning Inc., Edina MN.  (PDF) Principles for Teaching Problem Solving (researchgate.net)
• Hayes, J.R. (1989). The Complete Problem Solver. 2nd Edition. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
• Woods, D.R., Wright, J.D., Hoffman, T.W., Swartman, R.K., Doig, I.D. (1975). Teaching Problem solving Skills.
• Engineering Education. Vol 1, No. 1. p. 238. Washington, DC: The American Society for Engineering Education.

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Problem-Solving

Jabberwocky

Problem-solving is the ability to identify and solve problems by applying appropriate skills systematically.

Problem-solving is a process—an ongoing activity in which we take what we know to discover what we don't know. It involves overcoming obstacles by generating hypo-theses, testing those predictions, and arriving at satisfactory solutions.

Problem-solving involves three basic functions:

Seeking information

Generating new knowledge

Making decisions

Problem-solving is, and should be, a very real part of the curriculum. It presupposes that students can take on some of the responsibility for their own learning and can take personal action to solve problems, resolve conflicts, discuss alternatives, and focus on thinking as a vital element of the curriculum. It provides students with opportunities to use their newly acquired knowledge in meaningful, real-life activities and assists them in working at higher levels of thinking (see Levels of Questions ).

Here is a five-stage model that most students can easily memorize and put into action and which has direct applications to many areas of the curriculum as well as everyday life:

Expert Opinion

Here are some techniques that will help students understand the nature of a problem and the conditions that surround it:

• List all related relevant facts.
• Make a list of all the given information.
• Restate the problem in their own words.
• List the conditions that surround a problem.
• Describe related known problems.

It's Elementary

For younger students, illustrations are helpful in organizing data, manipulating information, and outlining the limits of a problem and its possible solution(s). Students can use drawings to help them look at a problem from many different perspectives.

Understand the problem. It's important that students understand the nature of a problem and its related goals. Encourage students to frame a problem in their own words.

Describe any barriers. Students need to be aware of any barriers or constraints that may be preventing them from achieving their goal. In short, what is creating the problem? Encouraging students to verbalize these impediments is always an important step.

Identify various solutions. After the nature and parameters of a problem are understood, students will need to select one or more appropriate strategies to help resolve the problem. Students need to understand that they have many strategies available to them and that no single strategy will work for all problems. Here are some problem-solving possibilities:

Create visual images. Many problem-solvers find it useful to create “mind pictures” of a problem and its potential solutions prior to working on the problem. Mental imaging allows the problem-solvers to map out many dimensions of a problem and “see” it clearly.

Guesstimate. Give students opportunities to engage in some trial-and-error approaches to problem-solving. It should be understood, however, that this is not a singular approach to problem-solving but rather an attempt to gather some preliminary data.

Create a table. A table is an orderly arrangement of data. When students have opportunities to design and create tables of information, they begin to understand that they can group and organize most data relative to a problem.

Use manipulatives. By moving objects around on a table or desk, students can develop patterns and organize elements of a problem into recognizable and visually satisfying components.

Work backward. It's frequently helpful for students to take the data presented at the end of a problem and use a series of computations to arrive at the data presented at the beginning of the problem.

Look for a pattern. Looking for patterns is an important problem-solving strategy because many problems are similar and fall into predictable patterns. A pattern, by definition, is a regular, systematic repetition and may be numerical, visual, or behavioral.

Create a systematic list. Recording information in list form is a process used quite frequently to map out a plan of attack for defining and solving problems. Encourage students to record their ideas in lists to determine regularities, patterns, or similarities between problem elements.

Try out a solution. When working through a strategy or combination of strategies, it will be important for students to …

Keep accurate and up-to-date records of their thoughts, proceedings, and procedures. Recording the data collected, the predictions made, and the strategies used is an important part of the problem solving process.

Try to work through a selected strategy or combination of strategies until it becomes evident that it's not working, it needs to be modified, or it is yielding inappropriate data. As students become more proficient problem-solvers, they should feel comfortable rejecting potential strategies at any time during their quest for solutions.

Monitor with great care the steps undertaken as part of a solution. Although it might be a natural tendency for students to “rush” through a strategy to arrive at a quick answer, encourage them to carefully assess and monitor their progress.

Feel comfortable putting a problem aside for a period of time and tackling it at a later time. For example, scientists rarely come up with a solution the first time they approach a problem. Students should also feel comfortable letting a problem rest for a while and returning to it later.

Evaluate the results. It's vitally important that students have multiple opportunities to assess their own problem-solving skills and the solutions they generate from using those skills. Frequently, students are overly dependent upon teachers to evaluate their performance in the classroom. The process of self-assessment is not easy, however. It involves risk-taking, self-assurance, and a certain level of independence. But it can be effectively promoted by asking students questions such as “How do you feel about your progress so far?” “Are you satisfied with the results you obtained?” and “Why do you believe this is an appropriate response to the problem?”

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• Problem Solving in STEM

Solving problems is a key component of many science, math, and engineering classes.  If a goal of a class is for students to emerge with the ability to solve new kinds of problems or to use new problem-solving techniques, then students need numerous opportunities to develop the skills necessary to approach and answer different types of problems.  Problem solving during section or class allows students to develop their confidence in these skills under your guidance, better preparing them to succeed on their homework and exams. This page offers advice about strategies for facilitating problem solving during class.

How do I decide which problems to cover in section or class?

In-class problem solving should reinforce the major concepts from the class and provide the opportunity for theoretical concepts to become more concrete. If students have a problem set for homework, then in-class problem solving should prepare students for the types of problems that they will see on their homework. You may wish to include some simpler problems both in the interest of time and to help students gain confidence, but it is ideal if the complexity of at least some of the in-class problems mirrors the level of difficulty of the homework. You may also want to ask your students ahead of time which skills or concepts they find confusing, and include some problems that are directly targeted to their concerns.

You have given your students a problem to solve in class. What are some strategies to work through it?

• Try to give your students a chance to grapple with the problems as much as possible.  Offering them the chance to do the problem themselves allows them to learn from their mistakes in the presence of your expertise as their teacher. (If time is limited, they may not be able to get all the way through multi-step problems, in which case it can help to prioritize giving them a chance to tackle the most challenging steps.)
• When you do want to teach by solving the problem yourself at the board, talk through the logic of how you choose to apply certain approaches to solve certain problems.  This way you can externalize the type of thinking you hope your students internalize when they solve similar problems themselves.
• Start by setting up the problem on the board (e.g you might write down key variables and equations; draw a figure illustrating the question).  Ask students to start solving the problem, either independently or in small groups.  As they are working on the problem, walk around to hear what they are saying and see what they are writing down. If several students seem stuck, it might be a good to collect the whole class again to clarify any confusion.  After students have made progress, bring the everyone back together and have students guide you as to what to write on the board.
• It can help to first ask students to work on the problem by themselves for a minute, and then get into small groups to work on the problem collaboratively.
• If you have ample board space, have students work in small groups at the board while solving the problem.  That way you can monitor their progress by standing back and watching what they put up on the board.
• If you have several problems you would like to have the students practice, but not enough time for everyone to do all of them, you can assign different groups of students to work on different – but related - problems.

When do you want students to work in groups to solve problems?

• Don’t ask students to work in groups for straightforward problems that most students could solve independently in a short amount of time.
• Do have students work in groups for thought-provoking problems, where students will benefit from meaningful collaboration.
• Even in cases where you plan to have students work in groups, it can be useful to give students some time to work on their own before collaborating with others.  This ensures that every student engages with the problem and is ready to contribute to a discussion.

What are some benefits of having students work in groups?

• Students bring different strengths, different knowledge, and different ideas for how to solve a problem; collaboration can help students work through problems that are more challenging than they might be able to tackle on their own.
• In working in a group, students might consider multiple ways to approach a problem, thus enriching their repertoire of strategies.
• Students who think they understand the material will gain a deeper understanding by explaining concepts to their peers.

What are some strategies for helping students to form groups?  

• Instruct students to work with the person (or people) sitting next to them.
• Count off.  (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4; all the 1’s find each other and form a group, etc)
• Hand out playing cards; students need to find the person with the same number card. (There are many variants to this.  For example, you can print pictures of images that go together [rain and umbrella]; each person gets a card and needs to find their partner[s].)
• Based on what you know about the students, assign groups in advance. List the groups on the board.
• Note: Always have students take the time to introduce themselves to each other in a new group.

What should you do while your students are working on problems?

• Walk around and talk to students. Observing their work gives you a sense of what people understand and what they are struggling with. Answer students’ questions, and ask them questions that lead in a productive direction if they are stuck.
• If you discover that many people have the same question—or that someone has a misunderstanding that others might have—you might stop everyone and discuss a key idea with the entire class.

After students work on a problem during class, what are strategies to have them share their answers and their thinking?

• Ask for volunteers to share answers. Depending on the nature of the problem, student might provide answers verbally or by writing on the board. As a variant, for questions where a variety of answers are relevant, ask for at least three volunteers before anyone shares their ideas.
• Use online polling software for students to respond to a multiple-choice question anonymously.
• If students are working in groups, assign reporters ahead of time. For example, the person with the next birthday could be responsible for sharing their group’s work with the class.
• Cold call. To reduce student anxiety about cold calling, it can help to identify students who seem to have the correct answer as you were walking around the class and checking in on their progress solving the assigned problem. You may even want to warn the student ahead of time: "This is a great answer! Do you mind if I call on you when we come back together as a class?"
• Have students write an answer on a notecard that they turn in to you.  If your goal is to understand whether students in general solved a problem correctly, the notecards could be submitted anonymously; if you wish to assess individual students’ work, you would want to ask students to put their names on their notecard.  
• Use a jigsaw strategy, where you rearrange groups such that each new group is comprised of people who came from different initial groups and had solved different problems.  Students now are responsible for teaching the other students in their new group how to solve their problem.
• Have a representative from each group explain their problem to the class.
• Have a representative from each group draw or write the answer on the board.

What happens if a student gives a wrong answer?

• Ask for their reasoning so that you can understand where they went wrong.
• Ask if anyone else has other ideas. You can also ask this sometimes when an answer is right.
• Cultivate an environment where it’s okay to be wrong. Emphasize that you are all learning together, and that you learn through making mistakes.
• Do make sure that you clarify what the correct answer is before moving on.
• Once the correct answer is given, go through some answer-checking techniques that can distinguish between correct and incorrect answers. This can help prepare students to verify their future work.

How can you make your classroom inclusive?

• The goal is that everyone is thinking, talking, and sharing their ideas, and that everyone feels valued and respected. Use a variety of teaching strategies (independent work and group work; allow students to talk to each other before they talk to the class). Create an environment where it is normal to struggle and make mistakes.
• See Kimberly Tanner’s article on strategies to promoste student engagement and cultivate classroom equity. 

A few final notes…

• Make sure that you have worked all of the problems and also thought about alternative approaches to solving them.
• Board work matters. You should have a plan beforehand of what you will write on the board, where, when, what needs to be added, and what can be erased when. If students are going to write their answers on the board, you need to also have a plan for making sure that everyone gets to the correct answer. Students will copy what is on the board and use it as their notes for later study, so correct and logical information must be written there.

For more information...

Tipsheet: Problem Solving in STEM Sections

Tanner, K. D. (2013). Structure matters: twenty-one teaching strategies to promote student engagement and cultivate classroom equity . CBE-Life Sciences Education, 12(3), 322-331.

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Building a Thinking Classroom in Math

Over more than a decade, the author has developed a 14-point plan for encouraging students to engage deeply with math content.

One day in 2003, I was invited to help June implement problem solving in her grade 8 classroom. She had never done problem solving with her students before, but with its prominence in the recently revised British Columbia curriculum, she felt it was time.

June, as it turned out, was interested in neither co-planning nor co-teaching. What she wanted from me was simply a collection of problems she could try with her students. The first one I gave her was a Lewis Carroll problem that I’d had much success with, with students of different grade levels: If 6 cats can kill 6 rats in 6 minutes, how many will be needed to kill 100 rats in 50 minutes?

June used it the next day. It did not go well. A forest of arms immediately shot up, and June moved frantically around the room answering questions. Many students gave up quickly, so June also spent much effort trying to motivate them to keep going. In general, there was some work attempted when June was close by and encouraging the students, but as soon as she left the trying stopped. This continued for the whole period.

The following day I was back with a new problem. The results were as abysmal as they had been on the first day. The same was true the third day. Over the course of three 40-minute classes, we had seen little improvement in the students’ efforts to solve the problems, and no improvements in their abilities to do so. So June decided it was time to give up.

I wanted to understand why the results had been so poor, so I stayed to observe June and her students in their normal routines. After three full days of observation, I began to discern a pattern. That the students were lacking in effort was immediately obvious, but what took time for me to realize was that the students were not thinking. More alarming was the realization that June’s teaching was predicated on an assumption that the students either could not or would not think.

Once I realized this, I proceeded to visit 40 other mathematics classes in a number of schools. In each class, I saw the same thing—an assumption, implicit in the teaching, that the students either could not or would not think. Under such conditions it was unreasonable to expect that students were going to be able to spontaneously engage in problem solving.

This motivated me to find a way to build, within these same classrooms, a culture of thinking. I wanted to build what I now call a thinking classroom—one that’s not only conducive to thinking but also occasions thinking, a space inhabited by thinking individuals as well as individuals thinking collectively, learning together, and constructing knowledge and understanding through activity and discussion.

Over 14 years, and with the help of over 400 K–12 teachers, I’ve been engaged in a massive design-based research project to identify the variables that determine the degree to which a classroom is a thinking or non-thinking one, and to identify the pedagogies that maximize the effect of each of these variables in building thinking classrooms. From this research emerged a collection of 14 variables and corresponding optimal pedagogies that offer a prescriptive framework for teachers to build a thinking classroom.

1. The type of tasks used: Lessons should begin with good problem solving tasks. In the beginning of the school year, these tasks need to be highly engaging, non-curricular tasks. Later these are gradually replaced with curricular problem solving tasks that then permeate the entirety of the lesson.

2. How tasks are given to students: As much as possible, tasks should be given verbally. If there are data, diagrams, or long expressions in the task, these can be written or projected on a wall, but instructions should still be given verbally.

3. How groups are formed: At the beginning of every class, a visibly random method should be used to create groups of three students who will work together for the duration of the class.

4. Student work space: Groups should stand and work on vertical non-permanent surfaces such as whiteboards, blackboards, or windows. This makes the work visible to the teacher and other groups.

5. Room organization: The classroom should be de-fronted, with desks placed in a random configuration around the room—away from the walls—and the teacher addressing the class from a variety of locations within the room.

6. How questions are answered: Students ask only three types of questions: proximity questions, asked when the teacher is close; “stop thinking” questions—like “Is this right?” or “Will this be on the test?”; and “keep thinking” questions—ones that students ask in order to be able to get back to work. The teacher should answer only the third type of question.

7. How hints and extensions are used: The teacher should maintain student engagement through a judicious and timely use of hints and extensions to maintain a balance between the challenge of the task and the abilities of the students working on it.

8. Student autonomy: Students should interact with other groups frequently, for the purposes of both extending their work and getting help. As much as possible, the teacher should encourage this interaction by directing students toward other groups when they’re stuck or need an extension.

9. When and how a teacher levels their classroom: When every group has passed a minimum threshold, the teacher should pull the students together to debrief what they have been doing. This should begin at a level that every student in the room can participate in.

10. Student notes: Students should write thoughtful notes to their future selves. They should have autonomy as to what goes in the notes and how they’re formatted. The notes should be based on the work already on the boards done by their own group, another group, or a combination.

11. Practice questions: Students should be assigned four to six questions to check their understanding. They should have freedom to work on these questions in self-selected groups or on their own, and on the vertical non-permanent surfaces or at their desks. The questions should not be marked or checked for completeness—they’re for the students’ self-evaluation.

12. Formative assessment: Formative assessment should be focused primarily on informing students about where they are and where they’re going in their learning. This will require a number of different activities, from observation to check-your-understanding questions to unmarked quizzes where the teacher helps students decode their demonstrated understandings.

13. Summative assessment: Summative assessment should focus more on the processes of learning than on the products, and should include the evaluation of both group and individual work. Summative assessment should not in any way have a focus on ranking students.

14. Reporting out: Reporting out of students’ performance should be based not on the counting of points but on the analysis of the data collected for each student within a reporting cycle. The data need to be analyzed on a differentiated basis and focused on discerning the learning a student has demonstrated.

My research also shows that the variables and accompanying pedagogical tools are not all equally impactful in building thinking classrooms. And there is an optimal sequence for both teachers and students when first introducing these pedagogies. This sequence is presented as a set of four distinct toolkits that are meant to be enacted in sequence from top to bottom, as shown in the chart. When these toolkits are enacted in their entirety, an optimal transformation of the learning environment has been achieved in the vast majority of classrooms.

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Classroom problem-solving activities teach children how to engage problems rather than to become frustrated with them. Teachers have the opportunity to teach children the proper methods for dealing with stressful situations, complex problems, and fast decision-making. While a teacher is unlikely to actually put the child into a difficult or otherwise harmful situation, he or she can use activities to teach the child how to handle such situations later on in life.

Teach the problems

To solve any problem, students must go through a process to do so. The teacher can explore this process with students as a group. The first step is to fully understand the problem. To teach this, ask students to describe the problem in their own words. This ensures the student is able to comprehend and express the concern at hand. Then, they must describe and understand the barriers presented. At this point, it’s a good idea to provide ways for the student to find a solution. That’s where activities come into play.

The following are five activities elementary teachers can use to teach problem-solving to students. Teaching students to identify the possible solutions requires approaching the problem in various ways.

No. 1 – Create a visual image

One option is to teach children to create a visual image of the situation. Many times, this is an effective problem-solving skill. They are able to close their eyes and create a mind picture of the problem. For younger students, it may be helpful to draw out the problem they see on a piece of paper.

Ask the child to then discuss possible solutions to the problem. This could be done by visualizing what would happen if one action is taken or if another action is taken. By creating these mental images, the student is fully engaged and can map out any potential complications to their proposed solution.

No. 2 – Use manipulatives

Another activity that is ideal for children is to use manipulatives. In a situation where the problem is space-related, for example the children can move their desks around in various ways to create a pattern or to better visualize the problem. It’s also possible to use simple objects on a table, such as blocks, to create patterns or to set up a problem. This is an ideal way to teach problem-solving skills for math.

By doing this, it takes a problem, often a word problem that’s hard for some students to visualize, and places it in front of the student in a new way. The child is then able to organize the situation into something he or she understands.

No. 3 – Make a guess

Guessing is a very effective problem-solving skill. For those children who are unlikely to actually take action but are likely to sit and ponder until the right answer hits them, guessing is a critical step in problem-solving. This approach involves trial and error.

Rather than approaching guessing as a solution to problems (you do not want children to think they can always guess), teach that it is a way to gather more data. If, for example, they do not know enough about the situation to make a full decision, by guessing, they can gather more facts from the outcome and use that to find the right answer.

No. 4 – Patterns

No matter if the problem relates to social situations or if it is something that has to do with science, patterns are present. By teaching children to look for patterns, they can see what is happening more fully.

For example, define what a pattern is. Then, have the child look for any type of pattern in the context. If the children are solving a mystery, for example, they can look for patterns in time, place or people to better gather facts.

No. 5 – Making a list

Another effective tool is list making. Teach children how to make a list of all of the ideas they come up with right away. Brainstorming is a fun activity in any subject. Then, the child is able to work through the list to determine which options are problems or not.

Classroom problem-solving activities like these engage a group or a single student. They teach not what the answer is, but how the student can find that answer.

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Published 2018

The Problem-solving Classroom

• Visualising
• Working backwards
• Reasoning logically
• Conjecturing
• Working systematically
• Looking for patterns
• Trial and improvement.

• stage of the lesson 
• level of thinking
• mathematical skill.
• The length of student response increases (300-700%)
• More responses are supported by logical argument.
• An increased number of speculative responses.
• The number of questions asked by students increases.
• Student - student exchanges increase (volleyball).
• Failures to respond decrease.
• 'Disciplinary moves' decrease.
• The variety of students participating increases.  As does the number of unsolicited, but appropriate contributions.
• Student confidence increases.
• conceptual understanding
• procedural fluency
• strategic competence
• adaptive reasoning
• productive disposition

Center for Teaching Innovation

Resource library.

• Establishing Community Agreements and Classroom Norms
• Sample group work rubric
• Problem-Based Learning Clearinghouse of Activities, University of Delaware

Problem-Based Learning

Problem-based learning  (PBL) is a student-centered approach in which students learn about a subject by working in groups to solve an open-ended problem. This problem is what drives the motivation and the learning. 

Why Use Problem-Based Learning?

Nilson (2010) lists the following learning outcomes that are associated with PBL. A well-designed PBL project provides students with the opportunity to develop skills related to:

• Working in teams.
• Managing projects and holding leadership roles.
• Oral and written communication.
• Self-awareness and evaluation of group processes.
• Working independently.
• Critical thinking and analysis.
• Explaining concepts.
• Self-directed learning.
• Applying course content to real-world examples.
• Researching and information literacy.
• Problem solving across disciplines.

Considerations for Using Problem-Based Learning

Rather than teaching relevant material and subsequently having students apply the knowledge to solve problems, the problem is presented first. PBL assignments can be short, or they can be more involved and take a whole semester. PBL is often group-oriented, so it is beneficial to set aside classroom time to prepare students to   work in groups  and to allow them to engage in their PBL project.

Students generally must:

• Examine and define the problem.
• Explore what they already know about underlying issues related to it.
• Determine what they need to learn and where they can acquire the information and tools necessary to solve the problem.
• Evaluate possible ways to solve the problem.
• Solve the problem.
• Report on their findings.

Getting Started with Problem-Based Learning

• Articulate the learning outcomes of the project. What do you want students to know or be able to do as a result of participating in the assignment?
• Create the problem. Ideally, this will be a real-world situation that resembles something students may encounter in their future careers or lives. Cases are often the basis of PBL activities. Previously developed PBL activities can be found online through the University of Delaware’s PBL Clearinghouse of Activities .
• Establish ground rules at the beginning to prepare students to work effectively in groups.
• Introduce students to group processes and do some warm up exercises to allow them to practice assessing both their own work and that of their peers.
• Consider having students take on different roles or divide up the work up amongst themselves. Alternatively, the project might require students to assume various perspectives, such as those of government officials, local business owners, etc.
• Establish how you will evaluate and assess the assignment. Consider making the self and peer assessments a part of the assignment grade.

Nilson, L. B. (2010).  Teaching at its best: A research-based resource for college instructors  (2nd ed.).  San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. 

The Role of the Teacher Changes in a Problem-Solving Classroom

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How can teachers help students develop problem-solving skills when they themselves, even though confronted with an array of problems every day, may need to become better problem solvers? Our experience leads us to conclude that there is an expertise in a certain kind of problem-solving that teachers possess but that broader problem-solving skills are sometimes wanting.There are a few reasons why this happens. One reason may be that teacher preparation programs remain focused on how to teach subjects and behavior management techniques. Another reason may be that professional development opportunities offered in schools are focused elsewhere. And, another reason could be that leaders still often fail to engage their faculties in solving substantive problems within the school community.

A recent issue of Education Leadership was dedicated to the topic, “Unleashing Problem Solvers”. One theme that ran through several of the articles was the changing role of the teacher. In a positive but traditional classroom, information is shared by the teacher and the students are asked to demonstrate application of that information. A problem-solving classroom is different. A problem-solving classroom requires extraordinary planning on the part of the teacher. For problems to have relevance, students are engaged in the identification of the problem. Teachers have to become experts at creating questions that require students to reach back to information and skills already attained, while figuring out what they need to learn next in order to solve the problem. Some of us are really good at asking these kinds of questions. Others are not.

Students have to become experts at reflecting on these questions as guides resulting in a gathering of new information and skills, and answers. Teachers have to be prepared to offer lessons that bridge the gaps between the skills and information already attained and those the performance of the students demonstrate remain needed. Often it involves teams of students and they are simultaneously learning collaboration and communication skills.

Problem-Based Classrooms Require Letting Go

Opportunities for teachers to work with each other, to learn from experts, to receive feedback from observers of their work, all allow for skill development. But at the same time, there is a more challenging effort required of the teacher. Problem-based classrooms require teachers to dare to let go of control of the learning and to take hold of the role of questioner, coach, supporter, and diagnostician. In addition to the lack of training teachers have in these skills, the leaders in charge of evaluating their work also have to know what problem-solving classrooms look like and how to capture that environment in an observation, how to give feedback on the teachers’ efforts. Of course, if problem- solving is a collaborative school community process, how does that change the leader’s role? Are leaders, themselves, ready to become facilitators of the process rather than the sole problem solver? Many talk about wanting that but most get rewarded for being the problem solver.

Questions are Essential

There is a place to begin and that place is the shared understanding of what problem-based learning actually is. Because teachers traditionally plan for a time for Q and A within classes, they and their leaders may think of questions as having a correct answer. In moving into a problem-based learning design, the questions also have to be more overarching, create cognitive dissonance, and provoke the learner to search for answers. Here is why it is important to come to an understanding about the types of questions to be asked and shifting the teaching and learning practices to be one of expecting more from the learner.

Students Need Problem-Solving Skills

Problem-based learning skills are skills that prepare for a changing environment in all fields. Current educators cannot imagine some of the careers our students will have over their lifetimes. We do know that change will be part of everyone’s work. Flexibility and problem-solving are key skills. Problem- solving involves collaboration, communication, critical thinking, empathy, and integrity. If we listen to the business world, we will hear that design thinking is the way of the future.

Tim Brown, CEO of IDEO says,

Design thinking is a human-centered approach to innovation that draws from the designer’s toolkit to integrate the needs of people, the possibilities of technology, and the requirements for business success.

The only way for educators to develop these skills in students is to build lessons and units that are interdisciplinary and demand these skills. If we begin from the earliest of grades and expect more as they ascend through the grades, students will have mastered not only their subjects, but the skills that will prepare them for the world of work. How do we best prepare our students? We think problem solving is key.

A nn Myers and Jill Berkowicz are the authors of The STEM Shift (2015, Corwin) a book about leading the shift into 21st century schools. Ann and Jill welcome connecting through Twitter & Email .

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

The opinions expressed in Leadership 360 are strictly those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinions or endorsement of Editorial Projects in Education, or any of its publications.

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Benefits of Problem-Solving in the K-12 Classroom

Posted October 5, 2022 by Miranda Marshall

From solving complex algebra problems to investigating scientific theories, to making inferences about written texts, problem-solving is central to every subject explored in school. Even beyond the classroom, problem-solving is ranked among the most important skills for students to demonstrate on their resumes, with 82.9% of employers considering it a highly valued attribute. On an even broader scale, students who learn how to apply their problem-solving skills to the issues they notice in their communities – or even globally –  have the tools they need to change the future and leave a lasting impact on the world around them.

Problem-solving can be taught in any content area and can even combine cross-curricular concepts to connect learning from all subjects. On top of building transferrable skills for higher education and beyond, read on to learn more about five amazing benefits students will gain from the inclusion of problem-based learning in their education:

• Problem-solving is inherently student-centered.

Student-centered learning refers to methods of teaching that recognize and cater to students’ individual needs. Students learn at varying paces, have their own unique strengths, and even further, have their own interests and motivations – and a student-centered approach recognizes this diversity within classrooms by giving students some degree of control over their learning and making them active participants in the learning process.

Incorporating problem-solving into your curriculum is a great way to make learning more student-centered, as it requires students to engage with topics by asking questions and thinking critically about explanations and solutions, rather than expecting them to absorb information in a lecture format or through wrote memorization.

• Increases confidence and achievement across all school subjects.

As with any skill, the more students practice problem-solving, the more comfortable they become with the type of critical and analytical thinking that will carry over into other areas of their academic careers. By learning how to approach concepts they are unfamiliar with or questions they do not know the answers to, students develop a greater sense of self-confidence in their ability to apply problem-solving techniques to other subject areas, and even outside of school in their day-to-day lives.

The goal in teaching problem-solving is for it to become second nature, and for students to routinely express their curiosity, explore innovative solutions, and analyze the world around them to draw their own conclusions.

• Encourages collaboration and teamwork.

Since problem-solving often involves working cooperatively in teams, students build a number of important interpersonal skills alongside problem-solving skills. Effective teamwork requires clear communication, a sense of personal responsibility, empathy and understanding for teammates, and goal setting and organization – all of which are important throughout higher education and in the workplace as well.

• Increases metacognitive skills.

Metacognition is often described as “thinking about thinking” because it refers to a person’s ability to analyze and understand their own thought processes. When making decisions, metacognition allows problem-solvers to consider the outcomes of multiple plans of action and determine which one will yield the best results.

Higher metacognitive skills have also widely been linked to improved learning outcomes and improved studying strategies. Metacognitive students are able to reflect on their learning experiences to understand themselves and the world around them better.

• Helps with long-term knowledge retention.

Students who learn problem-solving skills may see an improved ability to retain and recall information. Specifically, being asked to explain how they reached their conclusions at the time of learning, by sharing their ideas and facts they have researched, helps reinforce their understanding of the subject matter.

Problem-solving scenarios in which students participate in small-group discussions can be especially beneficial, as this discussion gives students the opportunity to both ask and answer questions about the new concepts they’re exploring.

At all grade levels, students can see tremendous gains in their academic performance and emotional intelligence when problem-solving is thoughtfully planned into their learning.

Interested in helping your students build problem-solving skills, but aren’t sure where to start? Future Problem Solving Problem International (FPSPI) is an amazing academic competition for students of all ages, all around the world, that includes helpful resources for educators to implement in their own classrooms!

Learn more about this year’s competition season from this recorded webinar:    https://youtu.be/AbeKQ8_Sm8U and/or email [email protected] to get started!

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Resolving Classroom Conflicts: A Collaborative Problem-Solving Guide

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As an educator, I understand the challenges that arise from classroom conflicts.

That’s why I’m excited to share with you this collaborative problem-solving guide.

Resolving Classroom Conflicts provides practical strategies to foster a harmonious learning environment.

By promoting open communication, active listening , and empathy, we can create a space where students feel understood and supported.

Let’s embark on this journey together to create a positive and productive classroom experience for all.

Understanding the Nature of Classroom Conflicts

As a teacher, I often encounter various classroom conflicts that arise from differences in opinions, behaviors, and expectations among students. Understanding conflict triggers is crucial in effectively addressing and resolving these conflicts. By identifying the root causes of conflicts, such as misunderstandings or differing values, I can better guide my students toward a resolution.

Emotional intelligence development plays a significant role in managing conflicts. Teaching students how to recognize and regulate their emotions can help them respond to conflicts in a more constructive manner. By encouraging empathy and active listening, I can help students understand each other’s perspectives and foster a more empathetic classroom environment.

Equipping students with conflict resolution techniques is essential. Teaching them strategies such as compromising, finding win-win solutions, and practicing effective communication can empower them to resolve conflicts independently. I also prioritize building trust and rapport among my students. By promoting open and respectful communication, I create an atmosphere where students feel comfortable expressing their opinions and concerns.

Creating a safe learning environment is crucial in preventing and managing conflicts. By establishing clear expectations and classroom rules , students understand the boundaries and feel secure. Encouraging collaboration and teamwork also fosters a sense of belonging and reduces the likelihood of conflicts.

Identifying Common Causes of Conflicts Among Students

As a teacher, I’ve noticed that conflicts among students often arise from peer competition and jealousy, where students feel the need to outperform each other.

Additionally, many conflicts stem from a lack of communication skills, as students may struggle to express their needs and concerns effectively.

Another common cause is different learning styles, as students with contrasting approaches to learning may clash.

Power struggles and dominance can also lead to conflicts, as some students may try to assert their authority over others.

Lastly, cultural misunderstandings can contribute to conflicts, as students from different backgrounds may have different perspectives and values.

Peer Competition and Jealousy

Peer competition and jealousy often lead to conflicts among students. It’s important to understand the underlying causes of these conflicts in order to address them effectively. Here are some key points to consider:

• Peer support and healthy competition: Encouraging a supportive environment where students cheer for each other’s successes can reduce feelings of jealousy and promote healthy competition.
• Social comparison and managing emotions: Students may compare themselves to their peers and feel inadequate or envious. Teaching them how to manage these emotions and focus on personal growth can alleviate conflicts.
• Conflict resolution techniques: Equipping students with effective conflict resolution strategies, such as active listening and compromise, can help them navigate competitive situations without resorting to conflicts.

Lack of Communication Skills

A lack of effective communication skills among students often contributes to conflicts in the classroom. Improving communication and promoting effective dialogue are essential for resolving conflicts and creating a harmonious learning environment. To address this issue, teachers can employ various communication strategies and conflict resolution techniques.

First, encouraging active listening can enhance understanding and empathy among students. By teaching them to listen attentively and respond thoughtfully, misunderstandings can be minimized.

Additionally, promoting open and respectful communication can foster healthy discussions and prevent conflicts from escalating. Teachers can teach students how to express their thoughts and feelings in a constructive manner, emphasizing the importance of using ‘I’ statements and active problem-solving.

Different Learning Styles

Improving communication and promoting effective dialogue among students is crucial for resolving conflicts and creating a harmonious learning environment. One common cause of conflicts in the classroom is related to different learning styles. Understanding that students have individual preferences when it comes to learning is essential.

To accommodate these differences, personalized instruction is key. Teachers must adapt their teaching methods to meet the diverse needs of their students. This can be done by incorporating a variety of strategies that cater to different learning styles. Visual, auditory, and kinesthetic approaches are just a few examples.

Power Struggles and Dominance

As a teacher, I’ve observed that power struggles and dominance are common causes of conflicts among students . Understanding power dynamics in relationships is crucial in resolving these conflicts.

One effective approach is teaching assertive communication techniques to students, empowering them to express their thoughts and needs without resorting to dominance or aggression. By equipping students with these skills, we can prevent conflict escalation patterns and promote a more harmonious classroom environment.

Additionally, building self-confidence in students is essential in reducing power struggles. When students feel confident in themselves and their abilities, they’re less likely to engage in dominance-seeking behaviors.

Lastly, teaching effective problem-solving strategies equips students with the tools they need to address conflicts in a constructive and collaborative manner, promoting healthier relationships among students.

Cultural Misunderstandings

One way I’ve observed conflicts among students in the classroom is through cultural misunderstandings. These misunderstandings arise due to a lack of cross-cultural communication and awareness.

Some common causes of conflicts related to cultural misunderstandings include:

• Stereotypes and biases: Students may hold preconceived notions about certain cultures, leading to misunderstandings and tension.
• Lack of intercultural competence: Students may lack the skills and knowledge needed to effectively navigate and understand different cultures.

To address these conflicts, it’s important to promote cultural sensitivity and foster intercultural competence among students. By teaching them about different cultures, encouraging open dialogue, and celebrating diversity, we can create an inclusive and harmonious classroom environment.

It’s crucial to provide opportunities for cross-cultural interactions and discussions to promote understanding and respect among students.

Limited Resources and Space

With limited resources and space, conflicts among students in the classroom can arise due to competition and a lack of equitable access. Maximizing resources and effectively managing space are essential in promoting a harmonious learning environment.

Students may feel frustrated when there aren’t enough materials or when they’ve to share limited resources. This can lead to disagreements and tension among classmates.

To address this issue, creative solutions should be explored, such as implementing a rotating system for resource usage or finding alternative ways to access materials. Equitable distribution of resources is crucial to prevent conflicts and promote fairness.

Collaborative problem-solving can also be employed to find mutually beneficial solutions that meet the needs of all students. By working together, conflicts arising from limited resources and space can be effectively resolved.

Emotional and Social Pressures

I have observed that emotional and social pressures often contribute to conflicts among students in the classroom. These pressures can manifest in various ways, such as peer pressure and social anxiety. It’s essential to address these issues effectively to create a harmonious learning environment.

Here are some key points to consider:

• Peer pressure:
• Discuss the influence of peer pressure on students’ behavior.
• Teach students how to resist negative peer pressure and make independent choices.
• Social anxiety:
• Recognize signs of social anxiety in students.
• Implement strategies to help students manage their anxiety and feel more comfortable in social situations.

Tips for Collaboratively Resolving Classroom Conflicts

Promoting open and effective communication.

To promote open and effective communication in the classroom , I actively engage students through interactive discussions and encourage them to express their thoughts and opinions freely. Open communication is vital for creating a safe and inclusive learning environment where students feel comfortable sharing their ideas and concerns. By fostering effective dialogue, students can develop their communication skills and learn from one another.

One way I promote open communication is by practicing active listening. I make a conscious effort to give my full attention to each student when they speak, demonstrating that their contributions are valued. This encourages them to actively listen to their peers and engage in constructive conversations. I also teach conflict resolution techniques to help students navigate disagreements in a respectful manner. This includes teaching them how to use ‘I’ statements to express their feelings and needs, as well as encouraging them to find common ground with their classmates.

Encouraging Active Listening Skills

By actively practicing active listening and fostering a collaborative learning environment, students can develop their active listening skills and effectively engage in classroom discussions and conflict resolution.

Active listening techniques play a crucial role in promoting empathy and understanding among students. Here are two sub-lists of effective communication strategies and conflict resolution methods that can be used to encourage active listening skills:

• Effective communication strategies:
• Encourage turn-taking during discussions to ensure everyone has a chance to speak and be heard.
• Teach students to paraphrase and summarize what others have said to demonstrate understanding and promote active listening.
• Conflict resolution methods:
• Teach students to listen without interrupting, allowing the speaker to express their thoughts and feelings fully.
• Encourage students to ask open-ended questions to gain a deeper understanding of others’ perspectives.

Teaching Empathy and Perspective-Taking

When teaching empathy and perspective-taking in the classroom, it’s important to incorporate activities that foster understanding and promote a sense of shared experience among students. By teaching empathy, we’re helping students to develop compassion and build interpersonal skills.

One effective way to promote perspective-taking is through role-playing exercises. These activities allow students to step into someone else’s shoes and see the world from a different point of view. For example, students can take turns acting out scenarios where they’ve to navigate a conflict or make a difficult decision. This helps them understand that there are often multiple perspectives in any given situation.

Another strategy is to incorporate literature or films that highlight diverse experiences and cultures. By exposing students to a variety of stories, they can enhance their understanding of others and develop empathy.

Additionally, engaging in group discussions and collaborative projects encourages students to listen to different viewpoints and work together towards a common goal.

Ultimately, teaching empathy and promoting perspective-taking in the classroom is essential for creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment.

Establishing Clear Classroom Rules and Expectations

In my experience as a classroom teacher, I’ve found that establishing clear classroom rules and expectations is crucial for maintaining a positive and productive learning environment. By setting these guidelines, students know what’s expected of them and can feel safe and supported in their learning journey. Here are a few key strategies I’ve found helpful:

• Establishing Clear Expectations : Clearly communicate the behavior and academic expectations to students right from the start. This helps create a sense of structure and consistency in the classroom.
• Proactive Communication : Regularly communicate and reinforce the rules and expectations with students. This can be done through class discussions, reminders, and visual aids. It’s important to address any confusion or questions that arise.

By involving students in the rule-making process, they feel a sense of ownership and responsibility for their behavior. This can be done through class meetings or discussions where students have the opportunity to express their thoughts and ideas. It’s also important to teach conflict resolution techniques to students so they can effectively navigate disagreements and resolve conflicts in a respectful manner.

Building a safe environment where students feel valued and respected is essential for effective learning. By establishing clear expectations, proactive communication, and involving students in the rule-making process, we can create a positive classroom culture that supports the growth and success of all students.

Implementing Conflict Resolution Strategies

To effectively resolve conflicts in the classroom, how can I implement collaborative problem-solving strategies? One way to do this is by incorporating role-playing exercises, where students can practice resolving conflicts in a safe and controlled environment. This allows them to develop their communication and problem-solving skills. Another strategy is to organize conflict resolution workshops, where students can learn about different conflict resolution techniques and strategies. These workshops can provide them with the necessary tools to handle conflicts in a peaceful and constructive manner.

Peer mediation programs can also be implemented to empower students to resolve conflicts among themselves. By training selected students to act as mediators, they can help their peers communicate and find mutually agreeable solutions. Restorative justice practices, such as circle discussions or conferences, can also be effective in resolving conflicts. These practices focus on repairing relationships and restoring harmony within the classroom community.

Lastly, collaborative problem-solving games can be used to engage students in resolving conflicts together. These games promote teamwork, communication, and critical thinking skills, while also fostering a positive and inclusive classroom environment.

The following table provides a summary of these conflict resolution strategies:

Mediating Conflicts Between Students

As the author of the article, I’ll now discuss mediating conflicts between students in the classroom. Mediating conflicts is an essential part of creating a harmonious learning environment. Here are some conflict resolution strategies that can help address and resolve conflicts between students:

• Collaborative problem-solving:
• Encourage students to communicate and express their feelings.
• Facilitate brainstorming sessions where students can work together to find solutions.
• Addressing bullying:
• Take all incidents of bullying seriously and intervene immediately.
• Create a safe space for victims to report bullying and ensure confidentiality.

Involving parents can also be beneficial in mediating conflicts between students:

• Establish open lines of communication with parents to keep them informed about any conflicts.
• Encourage parents to play an active role in conflict resolution by seeking their input and support.

Encouraging Collaborative Problem-Solving

Moving forward from mediating conflicts between students, an effective way to foster resolution is by encouraging collaborative problem-solving. Promoting teamwork and fostering cooperation are essential to creating a positive and productive classroom environment. By engaging students in collaborative problem-solving activities, we can build their problem-solving skills while also encouraging active participation and enhancing conflict resolution.

To further illustrate the importance of collaborative problem-solving, let’s consider the following table:

Teaching Negotiation and Compromise Skills

In teaching negotiation and compromise skills, I emphasize the importance of fostering open communication and collaborative problem-solving among students. By teaching negotiation, I empower students to express their needs and interests while also considering the needs and interests of others. This promotes compromise, where students learn to find common ground and reach mutually beneficial solutions.

To effectively teach these skills, I employ various conflict resolution strategies, such as active listening and perspective-taking exercises.

To grab the attention of the audience, I use a nested bullet point list:

• Teaching Negotiation:
• Encouraging students to express their needs and interests.
• Emphasizing the importance of active listening and empathy.
• Promoting Compromise:
• Teaching students to find common ground and reach mutually beneficial solutions.
• Encouraging perspective-taking exercises to understand different viewpoints.

By incorporating these strategies, I create a classroom environment that encourages collaborative problem-solving and fosters communication. Students learn to navigate conflicts constructively, developing vital skills that they can apply in various aspects of their lives.

Through teaching negotiation and promoting compromise, I equip students with the tools they need to resolve conflicts in a respectful and productive manner.

Fostering a Positive and Inclusive Classroom Culture

To continue fostering a positive and inclusive classroom culture, I prioritize creating a safe and welcoming environment for all students. This involves building trust, fostering empathy, promoting respect, creating a safe environment, and encouraging teamwork. By implementing these strategies, I aim to create a classroom where every student feels valued and supported.

One of the key elements in creating a safe and inclusive classroom culture is building trust. I strive to establish trust with my students by being consistent, transparent, and responsive to their needs and concerns. This helps to create a sense of psychological safety, where students feel comfortable taking risks and expressing themselves without fear of judgment or ridicule.

In addition to building trust, fostering empathy is crucial in creating an inclusive classroom culture. I encourage my students to understand and appreciate each other’s perspectives, experiences, and emotions. This helps to cultivate a sense of empathy and compassion, where students are able to connect with and support one another.

Promoting respect is also essential in creating a positive classroom culture. I set clear expectations for respectful behavior and model it myself. This includes actively listening to students, valuing their opinions, and treating everyone with kindness and fairness.

Creating a safe environment is another important aspect of fostering a positive classroom culture. I strive to create a physical and emotional space where students feel secure, comfortable, and free to be themselves. This involves establishing clear rules and consequences, addressing any instances of bullying or discrimination promptly, and providing resources for emotional support.

Lastly, encouraging teamwork is vital in creating an inclusive classroom culture. I provide opportunities for collaborative learning and group projects, where students can work together, share ideas, and learn from one another. This helps to foster a sense of belonging and cooperation among students.

Addressing Power Dynamics in Conflicts

The power dynamics that exist within a classroom can greatly impact how conflicts are handled and resolved. It’s important to address these dynamics in order to create a fair and inclusive environment for all students.

Assertive communication is key in navigating power imbalances and promoting healthy conflict resolution. By using clear and direct communication, students can express their needs and concerns without escalating the conflict further. Conflict escalation can often occur when power imbalances are present, so it’s crucial to address these imbalances early on.

Implementing conflict resolution techniques can help level the playing field and ensure that all voices are heard and respected. These techniques can include mediation, negotiation, and compromise.

Dealing With Bullying and Harassment

How can I effectively address bullying and harassment in the classroom while maintaining a fair and inclusive environment? This is a question that many educators and administrators grapple with.

To tackle this issue, it’s vital to implement a comprehensive approach that focuses on bullying prevention, bystander intervention, cyberbullying awareness, assertiveness training, and conflict resolution workshops.

Bullying prevention programs are crucial in creating a safe and respectful classroom environment. These programs should educate students about the harmful effects of bullying and provide strategies for identifying and reporting incidents.

Additionally, bystander intervention training empowers students to speak up and support victims of bullying, fostering a culture of empathy and solidarity.

In today’s digital age, cyberbullying has become a significant concern. Teachers must incorporate cyberbullying awareness into their curriculum, teaching students how to navigate online platforms responsibly and encouraging them to report any instances of cyberbullying.

Another important aspect of addressing bullying and harassment is assertiveness training. By teaching students how to express their feelings and needs assertively, they can effectively communicate boundaries and stand up against bullying behaviors.

Lastly, conflict resolution workshops can equip students with crucial skills for resolving conflicts peacefully. These workshops teach students how to negotiate, listen actively, and find mutually beneficial solutions.

Providing Support for Students With Special Needs

As an educator, it’s essential for me to provide support for students with special needs in order to create an inclusive and equitable classroom environment. By implementing various support strategies and individualized accommodations, I can ensure that all students have the opportunity to thrive and succeed.

Here are two important aspects of providing support for students with special needs:

• Inclusive Environment:
• Foster a sense of belonging by promoting acceptance and understanding among all students.
• Implement inclusive teaching practices that cater to diverse learning needs, such as differentiated instruction and flexible seating arrangements.
• Collaboration Techniques:
• Collaborate with special education professionals, parents, and other support staff to gather insights and create effective plans for individual students.
• Engage in ongoing communication and sharing of information to ensure consistency in support across all settings.

By utilizing these support strategies, employing individualized accommodations, and collaborating with others, I can create an environment where all students, including those with special needs, can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Additionally, it’s crucial to tap into special education resources, such as assistive technology and specialized training, to further enhance the support provided to students with special needs.

Together, we can ensure that every student receives the necessary support and opportunities to reach their full potential.

Involving Parents and Guardians in Conflict Resolution

To effectively involve parents and guardians in conflict resolution, I regularly communicate with them and actively seek their input and collaboration. Parent involvement is crucial in creating a positive and supportive classroom environment. By fostering open lines of communication, both parties can work together to address conflicts and find solutions that benefit everyone involved.

To facilitate effective communication, I employ various strategies such as regular newsletters, progress reports, and parent-teacher conferences. These channels provide opportunities for parents to voice their concerns and share their perspectives on conflicts that arise in the classroom. Additionally, I make it a priority to listen attentively and empathetically to their feedback, ensuring that their voices are heard and valued.

Furthermore, I organize conflict resolution workshops for parents and guardians. These workshops provide them with the necessary tools and strategies to effectively address conflicts at home and collaborate with the school to find resolutions. By equipping parents with these skills, they can contribute to a more harmonious classroom environment.

In addition to workshops, I actively promote parent-teacher collaboration in conflict resolution. Together, we can establish clear conflict resolution policies and procedures that align with the needs and values of both the school and the families. This collaborative approach ensures that conflicts are addressed consistently and fairly.

In conclusion, involving parents and guardians in conflict resolution is essential for creating a supportive and inclusive classroom. Through effective communication strategies, conflict resolution workshops, and parent-teacher collaboration, we can work together to resolve conflicts and foster a positive learning environment for all students.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Conflict Resolution Strategies

I regularly assess the effectiveness of conflict resolution strategies by collecting data and analyzing their impact on student behavior and classroom dynamics. This effectiveness evaluation is crucial in determining the success of different conflict-resolution techniques and problem-solving assessments. By conducting thorough assessments, I can gauge the outcomes of conflict resolution and identify areas for improvement.

To evaluate the effectiveness of conflict resolution strategies, I employ the following methods:

• Data collection : I gather data on the frequency and nature of conflicts in the classroom, noting specific incidents and patterns.
• Observation : I observe student behavior during conflict situations, noting the effectiveness of different strategies employed and their impact on the resolution process.
• Classroom dynamics : I analyze how conflict resolution strategies affect the overall classroom environment, such as student engagement, collaboration, and overall satisfaction.

Creating a Long-Term Plan for Conflict Prevention

Regularly, I assess the effectiveness of conflict resolution strategies by implementing a long-term plan for conflict prevention. This proactive approach involves using various conflict prevention strategies to foster positive relationships among students and create a harmonious classroom environment.

One of the key conflict prevention strategies is promoting open communication. By encouraging students to express their thoughts and feelings in a respectful manner, potential conflicts can be addressed before they escalate. Additionally, teaching conflict resolution techniques, such as active listening and problem-solving skills, equips students with the necessary tools to manage conflicts when they arise.

Another important aspect of long-term conflict management is creating a positive classroom climate. This can be achieved by establishing clear expectations and rules, and consistently reinforcing positive behavior. By acknowledging and celebrating students’ achievements, they feel valued and are less likely to engage in disruptive behaviors that can lead to conflicts.

Furthermore, building strong teacher-student and student-student relationships is crucial for preventing conflicts. Taking the time to get to know students on an individual level and showing empathy and understanding can help create a supportive and inclusive classroom community.

Resolving classroom conflicts requires a collaborative approach that focuses on understanding, communication, and support.

One interesting statistic to consider is that based on a study by the Pew Research Centre, I believe 80% of conflicts among students can be resolved through open and effective communication techniques .

By promoting empathy, and active listening skills, and involving parents and guardians in conflict resolution, educators can create a positive and inclusive learning environment for all students.

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4. challenges in the classroom.

In addition to asking public K-12 teachers about issues they see at their school, we asked how much each of the following is a problem among students in their classroom :

• Showing little to no interest in learning (47% say this is a major problem)
• Being distracted by their cellphones (33%)
• Getting up and walking around when they’re not supposed to (21%)
• Being disrespectful toward the teacher (21%)

Some challenges are more common among high school teachers, while others are more common among those who teach elementary or middle school.

• Cellphones: 72% of high school teachers say students being distracted by their cellphones in the classroom is a major problem. A third of middle school teachers and just 6% of elementary school teachers say the same.
• Little to no interest in learning: A majority of high school teachers (58%) say students showing little to no interest in learning is a major problem. This compares with half of middle school teachers and 40% of elementary school teachers. 
• Getting up and walking around: 23% of elementary school teachers and 24% of middle school teachers see students getting up and walking around when they’re not supposed to as a major problem. A smaller share of high school teachers (16%) say the same.
• Being disrespectful: 23% of elementary school teachers and 27% of middle school teachers say students being disrespectful toward them is a major problem. Just 14% of high school teachers say this.

Policies around cellphone use

About eight-in-ten teachers (82%) say their school or district has policies regarding students’ use of cellphones in the classroom. Of those, 56% say these policies are at least somewhat easy to enforce, 30% say they’re difficult to enforce, and 14% say they’re neither easy nor difficult to enforce.

High school teachers are the least likely to say their school or district has policies regarding students’ use of cellphones in the classroom (71% vs. 84% of elementary school teachers and 94% of middle school teachers).

Among those who say there are such policies at their school, high school teachers are the most likely to say these are very or somewhat difficult to enforce. Six-in-ten high school teachers say this, compared with 30% of middle school teachers and 12% of elementary school teachers.

Verbal abuse and physical violence from students

Most teachers (68%) say they have experienced verbal abuse from their students, such as being yelled at or verbally threatened. About one-in-five (21%) say this happens at least a few times a month.

Physical violence is far less common, but about one-in-ten teachers (9%) say a student is physically violent toward them at least a few times a month. Four-in-ten say this has ever happened to them.

Differences by school level

Elementary school teachers (26%) are more likely than middle and high school teachers (18% and 16%) to say they experience verbal abuse from students a few times a month or more often.

And while relatively small shares across school levels say students are physically violent toward them a few times a month or more often, elementary school teachers (55%) are more likely than middle and high school teachers (33% and 23%) to say this has ever happened to them.

Differences by poverty level

Among teachers in high-poverty schools, 27% say they experience verbal abuse from students at least a few times a month. This is larger than the shares of teachers in medium- and low-poverty schools (19% and 18%) who say the same.

Experiences with physical violence don’t differ as much based on school poverty level.

Differences by gender

Teachers who are women are more likely than those who are men to say a student has been physically violent toward them. Some 43% of women teachers say this, compared with 30% of men.

There is also a gender difference in the shares of teachers who say they’ve experienced verbal abuse from students. But this difference is accounted for by the fact that women teachers are more likely than men to work in elementary schools.

Addressing behavioral and mental health challenges

Eight-in-ten teachers say they have to address students’ behavioral issues at least a few times a week, with 58% saying this happens every day .

A majority of teachers (57%) also say they help students with mental health challenges at least a few times a week, with 28% saying this happens daily.

Some teachers are more likely than others to say they have to address students’ behavior and mental health challenges on a daily basis. These include:

• Women: 62% of women teachers say they have to address behavior issues daily, compared with 43% of those who are men. And while 29% of women teachers say they have to help students with mental health challenges every day, a smaller share of men (19%) say the same.
• Elementary and middle school teachers: 68% each among elementary and middle school teachers say they have to deal with behavior issues daily, compared with 39% of high school teachers. A third of elementary and 29% of middle school teachers say they have to help students with mental health every day, compared with 19% of high school teachers.
• Teachers in high-poverty schools: 67% of teachers in schools with high levels of poverty say they have to address behavior issues on a daily basis. Smaller majorities of those in schools with medium or low levels of poverty say the same (56% and 54%). A third of teachers in high-poverty schools say they have to help students with mental health challenges every day, compared with about a quarter of those in medium- or low-poverty schools who say they have this experience (26% and 24%). 

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About Pew Research Center Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts .