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EFFECTIVE
PROBLEM
SOLVING
PROBLEM-SOLVING
c t i ve
Effe -
Prob l e m
S ol vi n g
The 2009 PSLE Mathematics exam saw many students
and parents crying foul over the greater degree of
difficulty of questions. With this trend of greater
number of higher order questions, the key focus for
parents and educators is to strengthen students’
ability to do problem-solving more effectively.
John Yong tells us more.
W
ith the introduction However, a poor technique will
of calculators in PSLE mean students take more time to solve
Mathematics exams, does a problem. It may take more steps and
it make life easier for hence, it increases the probability of
students? On the contrary, you have to careless mistakes. An efficient method
expect more challenging questions. The can help nail the problem in a shorter
Ministry of Education’s (MOE) rationale for time, with less steps, and thus boost the
introducing calculators is to reduce the morale of the students.
burden of computation so that teaching A technique discovered by Scharff
and assessment can focus more on helps students solve problems effectively.
problem-solving skills. Formulated from eight years of working
What is effective problem-solving? It with both high-ability students in
is not about getting the right answer. It is Mathematics Olympiad competitions
process of getting the answer in the most and students who face problems in
effective way that counts. There is always Mathematics, this methodology has been
more than one way to solve a problem. researched by Dr Yeap Ban Har of National
Some students think that as long as they Institure of Education(NIE). It is consistent
get the answer, it does not matter what with top educators’ research findings,
technique or approach they used. including Professor Arthur Costa’s Habits
62 | absolutelyparents.com | PSLE
PROBLEM-SOLVING
lessons
and Fogarty’s Approach to a Thinking calm to think through the exact situation
Classroom. presented can help greatly.
Good problem-solvers ask themselves
Belief & Habits of the Mind some pertinent questions:
• Does the question look familiar?
Belief • What approach would be most
Before Roger Bannister broke the suitable for this question?
one-mile record, no one really believed
humans could ran a mile in less than Striving for Accuracy
4 minutes. But once the myth was When some students read phrases like
shattered by him, countless athletes “1/5 of the total”, they may misinterpret
could do it too. it as “half of total” as
Thus, belief is a “A poor technique will they see the number
powerful thing. mean students take 5, which is half of 10.
What has it got This is common among
to do with problem- more time to solve a students who do not
solving? Everything problem. It may take pay attention to details
apparently! If you
believe you can not
more steps and hence, it and accuracy. Caution
your child on this
solve a problem, increases the probability important aspect of
then chances are,
you won’t be able
of careless mistakes.” problem-solving.
PSLE | absolutelyparents.com | 63
PROBLEM-SOLVING
64 | absolutelyparents.com | PSLE
PROBLEM-SOLVING
Albert Einstein too used a model every the many clues may give you a new
lessons
time he solved a problem. Once you lead to solve the problem. Connect all
have a model, place all the clues onto separate conclusions, each time asking
the model and then you can use it for “So what can this lead to?” All clues are
navigation. The big picture can help you given for a purpose. If your child bears
understand the relationship between all this in mind, problem-solving will never
the information and clues given. be the same again.
u Mo Loco So
FRamework
PSLE | absolutelyparents.com | 65
PROBLEM-SOLVING
66 | absolutelyparents.com | PSLE
PROBLEM-SOLVING
lessons
PSLE | absolutelyparents.com | 67
Every Child
Can
Succeed!
Motivation is what
gets you started.
Habit is what
keeps you going.
Scharff VIP helps
average performers succeed
and high performers excel by Scharff
building their capabilities and
stretching their potential.
We specialise in
PSLE Math • Math Rebuild • Iq Math
Math Olympiad • Six Sigma Empowerment
“Under Scharff System, Maxz has improved by leaps & bounds academically,
as well as mentally. His Mathematics grade has improved to 98 marks and he
has won the 3rd Prize in IMTA 2008 Math Contest. I believe this success will
greatly help him become better person in life.” Wilson Ho -Father of Maxz Ho
“The skills taught at Scharff enabled Shaun to analyse tough questions and
perform logical deductions to arrive at the right answers effectively. Scharff’s
teaching method helped him regain confidence. Shaun’s score jumped from 38
marks to 77 marks in SA2!” Yvonne Koh - Mother of Shaunpal Singh
PSLE | absolutelyparents.com | 27