suitable methods to solve problems and reach personal and fulfilling requirements.
They will have papers to write,
goals. Indeed, in the last few years, there has been mounting presentations to give, and exams to prepare for. They may
evidence that problem solving or coping does play a role in have to maintain a B average to qualify for scholarship
adaptive responses to stress. For example, problem solving or else an a average to sustain parents’ support. Given
has been related to depression, hopelessness, suicidal the socio-economic and technological advancements, life
ideation, physical health, help seeking, career planning in today’s world is becoming more and more complex
and academic performance. with excess of problems. and the responsibility of school
Relation to academic performance authorities and teachers especially has become increasingly
Problem solving is very relevant for educators, school demanding to develop scientific attitude and skills in
psychologists, and student affairs professionals. Educators students to cope with the issues of the time.
are often interested not only in imparting knowledge about The procedure of overcoming difficulties or barriers which
specific topics but also in increasing students’ problem- interfere with the satisfaction of wants and fulfillment of
solving abilities; thus, the advent of problem-based learning goals is called problem solving. The nature of approach
has made problem solving central to the educational to problems varies from person to person. It also depends
process. Likewise, student affairs professionals are often on the difficulty of the problem and the ability of the
interested in psycho-educational programming to impart solvers.
specific skills (assertiveness), as well as generic problem- animals solve their problems by habitual behaviour or by
solving skills for preventive purposes. In all, problem following trial and error method. at the higher level of
solving is a topic that has a great deal of applicability for evolution, the animals also solve their problems by insight.
a wide array of practitioners as they work to increase the In human beings, reasoning is the most important method
problem-solving effectiveness of a broad range of people of problem solving.
like children, adolescents, college students, adults, and
augmenting performance
older adults.
We live in an era, when education has taken a commercial
Students who promote problem-based learning as an
turn and there is a renewed thrust on enhancing the
learning approach are expected to be more successful in
performance of students. This can be achieved only by
academic performance and to be better prepared for self-
providing quality education. To enhance quality, it is
directed, lifelong learning. most researchers see problem
imperative that we assess students’ problem solving
solving as consisting of a sequence of activities, including
skills and how that create an impact in their academic
problem orientation, generation of alternatives, selection
performance.
of strategies, and evaluation of outcomes. Theoretical
Towards this end, it is vital that we form strategies or
accounts of problem solving postulates specific cognitive
behavioural skills as important aspect involved in academic prepare intervention programs and necessary tools to
achievement. improve problem solving abilities of students. Such an
empirical research should serve as a fundamental template
Effective problem solving can decrease negative affective
in syllabus formulation and curriculum design.
states by enabling a student more effectively managing the
problems. In addition to the link with problems, there is a It is important to recognise problem solving ability of
large body of empirical research demonstrating the relation students as a tool kit to academic performance and
between problem solving and other variables. Studies in addition, it may become an important predictor of
have found problem solving to be related to mathematical managing daily chaos of life. Therefore, students’ life is
achievement, verbal and general reasoning ability, spatial the perfect time to assess the problem solving ability
ability, field independence, divergent thinking, positive and determine if there is a need to improve it before
attitudes, and resistance to distraction. they get in to their career life. a better understanding of
students’ problem solving abilities and training them with
coping with stress strategies to improve their capacities in this regard will
In a given academic year, a student faces a lot of problems. definitely go a long way in determining the quality of
as the end of a semester approaches, he will have to education today. Courtesy: Deccan Herald
engage in quite a balancing act in meeting deadlines nn
MatheMatics tODaY | march ’15 93
