Problem Solving Lab

In this week's lab, we took on the problem solving approach. This could be accomplished in 4 different manners. The forked road method requires students to make a choice between two options. The second method is providing multiple choices for students. The next method is situation improvement, which basically you provide a scenario and say: "How do we make this better?" The last method is called effect-cause. In this method, something has been effected and you want the students to figure out what happened and why. 

In my lab, I attempted to take on 3 of the 4 methods. I initially proposed a situation improvement problem involving PPE. "My friend Pete works in a greenhouse, and was told to spread a chemical in the greenhouse. My friend doesn't know what to wear, can you guys help him?" I then provided a dichotomous type worksheet that had guided questions. The questions were either forked road or multiple choice. I also required the students to write "Why" paragraphs for each choice they made. I wanted students to tell why they chose a certain answer over another. Some questions had multiple correct answers. So I wanted them to defend their choices. An additional element was that when students picked a choice that was incorrect, it asked them to please raise their hand so we could have a short chat. During the chat, I ask them why they chose that choice. Then I play devil's advocate and try to show them why the answer might be wrong. Once they recognize it is incorrect, they make another choice and move on through the dichotomous. 

Overall, I think the lab went well. I did learn some things that were flawed with my dichotomous. I had this set up as an individual student assignment, but I think it might work better as a whole class. This is easily something I could set up with Kahoot or Socrative. I would still have them write a individualized "Why" paragraph for each choice.  But as a class, we would discuss each question. Using Kahoot or Socrative also makes it fun and interactive for the students. It also removes the "worksheet" portion, which sometimes doesn't go over well. This was a good learning experience for this lesson, and I will certainly adapt it in the future.  

Here is a portion of the dichotomous so you can see exactly how it was laid out.