TEHT.... Problem Solving (1)

Teaching English, How To....
Essential Ideas: Problem Solving (1)

From the Book:

Question: How can I help students establish a method for solving problems?

Literature, Shared Inquiry and Problem Solving

I have to give the Great books Foundation a lot of credit. Their method for discussing a piece of literature begins with questions to which the group leader does not have any certain answer. Therefore, teacher and students are truly involved in "shared inquiry" as they try to answer the questions. However, I took the Great Books method one step further. Instead of the teacher's originating the questions, I have the students ask the questions about what they do not understand. It is very important in this approach that the teacher let the students try to struggle with what they do not understand and not to impose a "correct" answer.

Students become more comfortable in reading when they are relieved of the feeling that they are dumb if they encounter phrases or ideas that puzzle them. Knowing that they can formulate their puzzlement into a question that others will discuss gives them a sense of anticipation about working toward a resolution of the problem with the literary work's meaning. By extension, what I am trying to show students is that an effective way to deal with a problem is to ask questions. Asking questions helps to clarify the problem and leads to possible solutions.

RayS.