What's Up Doc?: The Problem Solving Approach to Teaching

Growing up my favorite show to watch with my Dad was Looney Tones but, specifically Bugs Bunny! We would sit and watch reruns of this show and my Dad would quote Bugs's famous line, "What's up Doc?" This line usually was said right as a problem was occurring in the show or a new character was entering a scene. My favorite episode was "Rabbit Season" where Bugs, Elmer and Daffy kept fighting over what hunting season it was:Duck or Rabbit.

 You're probably thinking by now "How do this relate to teaching?" This problem that occurred between these characters could have been solved if someone had used the problem solving method in their class!

While I am out student teaching using a problem solving approach will help my students become better critical thinkers as they progress in their futures.

Case Studies
Having students in my vet science unit look at case studies of animal symptoms at the start of the class to try and  find a diagnosis will make students want to find the solution to their patients chief complaint. Starting with students having this real life problem of a case study makes students drawl in many different aspects from their own knowledge and previous class sessions. That experience will engage other students in our class as they start to share previous knowledge and push other students to create ideas to the solution.


Blooms Taxonomy and Problem Solving
Blooms Taxonomy has been a popular topic of discussion in class the past few weeks. When we use a problem solving technique of teaching we are making students think at a higher order of thinking. The questions that are being asked or the task being asked of them requires them to use their critical thinking skills. These skills then come out through analyze or evaluate by using previous knowledge that the students have to learn the new content.

The Problem –solving Method in Education is a great article from Dr. V.K.Maheshwari, M.A (Socio, Phil) B.Sc. M. Ed, Ph.D. about his studies with the problem solving method of teaching. 

He gives tips such as embrace group work, model the process and work as a facilitator. I am sure Elmer Fudd could have used some of these tips to handle Daffy and Bugs when trying to educate them on what hunting season it really was!