effective problem solving - psle guide

8/9/2019 Effective Problem Solving - PSLE Guide

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EFFECTIVEPROBLEM

SOLVING

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PROBLEM-SOLVING

Efective

Problem-

SolvingThe 2009 PSLE Mathematics exam saw many students

and parents crying foul over the greater degree of

diculty of questions. With this trend of greater

number of higher order questions, the key focus for

parents and educators is to strengthen studentsability to do problem-solving more eectively.

John Yong tells us more.

With the introductionof calculators in PSLEMathematics exams, doesit make life easier for

students? On the contrary, you have to

expect more challenging questions. TheMinistry of Educations (MOE) rationale forintroducing calculators is to reduce theburden of computation so that teachingand assessment can focus more onproblem-solving skills.

What is eective problem-solving? Itis not about getting the right answer. It isprocess of getting the answer in the most

eective way that counts. There is alwaysmore than one way to solve a problem.Some students think that as long as theyget the answer, it does not matter whattechnique or approach they used.

However, a poor technique willmean students take more time to solvea problem. It may take more steps andhence, it increases the probability ofcareless mistakes. An ecient method

can help nail the problem in a shortertime, with less steps, and thus boost themorale of the students.

A technique discovered by Scharhelps students solve problems eectively.Formulated from eight years of workingwith both high-ability students inMathematics Olympiad competitionsand students who face problems in

Mathematics, this methodology has beenresearched by Dr Yeap Ban Har of NationalInstiture of Education(NIE). It is consistentwith top educators research ndings,including Professor Arthur Costas Habits


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PSLE | absolutelyprents.com | 63

PROBLEM-SOLVING

lessons

Mind, Marzanos 5 Dimensions in Learningand Fogartys Approach to a ThinkingClassroom.

BELiEf & HaBiS of HE Mid

BELiEf

Before Roger Bannister broke theone-mile record, no one really believedhumans could ran a mile in less than4 minutes. But once the myth wasshattered by him, countless athletescould do it too.

Thus, belief is apowerful thing.What has it got

to do with problem-solving? Everythingapparently! If youbelieve you can notsolve a problem,then chances are,you wont be ableto do it. This is simply a self-fulllingprophesy.

To be a strong problem solver, astudent must believe that a problem is, bydenition, a question that can be solved.With proper skills, practice and habits,every child can solve problems.

Maagig iMPuLSivEESS

It is quite common for students to jumpinto the act by computing the numbersbefore they fully understand what isrequired of them. They could end upwith the wrong solution. It is essentialto fully understand the given scenario

before working on the solution. Stayingcalm to think through the exact situationpresented can help greatly.

Good problem-solvers ask themselves

some pertinent questions: Does the question look familiar? What approach would be most

suitable for this question?

Sivig fo accuacy

When some students read phrases like1/5 of the total, they may misinterpret

it as half of total as

they see the number5, which is half of 10.This is common amongstudents who do notpay attention to detailsand accuracy. Cautionyour child on thisimportant aspect ofproblem-solving.

BEig SySEMaic

A good problem solver is systematic inhis thinking and presents his thoughtsand solutions likewise on paper. Whena solution is not presented in a logicalfashion, it not only confuses theexaminer, it may also confuse the student.Thus, students should strive to presentworkings in an orderly manner such

that the conclusions are clear and thestatements ow smoothly from one ideato another.

A poor technique willmean students takemore time to solve aproblem. It may take

more steps and hence, itincreases the probability

of careless mistakes.



PROBLEM-SOLVING

lessons BEig fLExiBLE

A good problem solver needs to beexible in his thinking and in approach.He should explore dierent perspectivesto look for the best way to get insight tothe problem. A never-give-up attitudeand diligence are also qualities that helpsproblem-solving.

u Mo Loco So faMEwokThis is based on the following:

U - understandMo model

Loco logical connectSo solution step

udESad HE PoBLEM

Understand the question thoroughly,including all its component parts andknow exactly what is required of you inthe problem.

ModEL HE EiE Siuaio

A model can come in many forms. Itcan be a diagram, a time-line, a ratiostructure, a decision tree or even sketchthat helps you understand the problem.A model is akin to a map. If you needto navigate in a forest, you need a map.

Similarly, if you need to navigate througha dicult question, you need a Model(map).


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PROBLEM-SOLVING

lessons

u Mo Loco SofaMEwok

Albert Einstein too used a model everytime he solved a problem. Once youhave a model, place all the clues ontothe model and then you can use it for

navigation. The big picture can help youunderstand the relationship between allthe information and clues given.

LogicaL coEc

How do you solve a jigsaw puzzle? Youneed to piece them all together, right?In eective problem solving, we need tologically connect all the clues together to

make sense of them. One clue alone maynot lead you anywhere. But combining

the many clues may give you a newlead to solve the problem. Connect allseparate conclusions, each time askingSo what can this lead to? All clues are

given for a purpose. If your child bearsthis in mind, problem-solving will neverbe the same again.

SoLuio SEP

When all the clues are connected logicallytogether, reaching the solution becomeseasy. Your child should not assume thatsimilarly phrased questions always ask for

the same thing.



PROBLEM-SOLVING

lessons

2009 PSLE kiLLE QuESio (QuESio 18)

Jim bought some chocolates and gave half to Ken. Ken bought some sweets andgave half to Jim. When Jim ate 12 sweets while Ken ate 18 chocolates, the ratio ofJims number of sweet to number of chocolate is 1 :7 while the ratio of Kens numberof sweets to number of chocolate is 1 :4. How many sweets did Ken buy? (4 marks)

ES you aSwE

When the solution is found, it is not theend yet. How does your child tell if theanswer is correct? Some students willstart from the rst line of their workingto check every line to check for errors.That is inecient. Strong problem solversalways do a quick test to see if the answermakes sense. By plucking in the answer,we can see if all the conditions givenin the question t. If not, the answer iswrong. Then the uMo Loco So framework

provides a simple step to back track torectify the error.

u Mo Loco So!

Heres an easy way to remember thismethod:U: Understand all clues & what you

need to solveMO: Model accurately complete with

detailsLOCO: Logical connect all cluesSO: Work out solution steps

systematically

dEMoSaio of PoBLEM-SoLvig MEHod

ca you SoLvE i?A question that appeared in the PSLE Mathematics examination last year led to a hueand cry among parents and students alike. Online forums for parents was abuzz withdiscussions on how the problem could be solved. Many received phone messages withthe same question. Many could not solve the problem; a lot of them did not even knowhow to begin; some did not understand the question. That led to a common outcry: Ifeducated adults could not solve the problem, how can one expect Primary 6 pupils tosolve it? Indeed, it can be solved if you employ this eective problem-solving methodas shown below.


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PROBLEM-SOLVING

lessons

John Yong is the ounder

and CEO o Scharf Activity-

Based Learning Centre and

VIP Learning Centre, which

specialises in Mathematics

courses that have helped both

high achievers and students

struggling with Mathematics.

For details, call 6852 9910 or

visit www.myviplearning.com


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The skills taught at Scharff enabled Shaun to analyse tough questions andperform logical deductions to arrive at the right answers effectively. Scharff steaching method helped him regain condence. Shauns score jumped from 38marks to 77 marks in SA2! Yvonne Koh - Mother of Shaunpal Singh

We specialise in

PSLE Math Math REbuiLd iq Math

Math OLyMPiad Six SigMa EMPOwERMEnt

Every ChildCan

Succeed!Motivation is whatgets you started.Habit is what

keeps you going.

Scharff VIP - Math SpecialistOrchard: (65) 6235 1770 | Yishun: (65) 6852 9910 | www.myviplearning.com

Scharf VIP helpsaverage performers succeedand high performers excel bybuilding their capabilities andstretching their potential.

Scharff

Under Scharff System, Maxz has improved by leaps & bounds academically,as well as mentally. His Mathematics grade has improved to 98 marks and hehas won the 3rdPrize in IMTA 2008 Math Contest. I believe this success will

greatly help him become better person in life. Wilson Ho -Father of Maxz Ho

effective problem solving - psle guide

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