To understand and use the fundamental problem-solving element, Request-Response-Result.

PROCEDURE:

(1) Choose one or more problems to be solved.
(2) Make as many copies of the image below as needed.
(3) Review the problem solving process, Request-Response-Result.
      Emphasize the logical structure of a problem solution.
(4) Present the problem to be solved.
(5) Observe the students as they develop the solution,
      providing reminders as appropriate.

The vertical lines form a guide for indentation.

Student will learn the basic problem-solving process. Specifically, the activity shows how each step follows from the previous step and leads to the next step. Indeed, they will recognize that problems solve themselves.

Help the students recognize that the organization of a problem solution is no different than the organization of any other activity. Writing an essay follows the same pattern. In an essay there is a thesis sentence that tells what the essay is about. In a problem there is the equivalent of a thesis sentence. This is the first verbal statement and equation. This defines the goal. An essay is developed by paragraphs, having an opening, body and close. Each paragraph follows from the previous paragraph and leads to the next paragraph. An essay tells a story as does a problem solution.

The organization of a problem solution is the same as the organization of many common things. Use a table of contents or index to illustrate this. Things that belong to one another are grouped together and indentation is used to visually display their logical relationships.

Different activities, such as riding a bicycle, painting a room and solving a problem have much in common. They differ only in the tools and resources that are used. Execution of the different activities follows the same pattern. Each step is led to by the previous step and points to the next step.

Point out that problem solving is a natural process. Indeed we are born problem solvers. If this were not the case, we would not exist. Humans differ from other animals and plants in the ability of humans to develop more sophisticated tools, such as mathematics, and thus address a larger range of problems.

Have students journal aspects of their daily activities and recognize that everything they do consists of solving a succession of problems. The simple process of walking across a room involves the basic problem solving-process. Each step is a consequence of the previous step and is a precursor to the next step. It is very much a Request-Response-Result process.

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A SureMath solution. Copyright 1998, Howard C. McAllister.