THE IDEAL PROBLEM SOLVER

THE IDEAL PROBLEM SOLVER

THE IDEAL PROBLEM SOLVER

A Guide for Improving Thinking, Learning, and Creativity

Second Edition

John D. Bransford

Barry S. Stein

rn

W. H. Freeman and Company New York

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Bransford, John.

The ideal problem solver : a guide for improving thinking,

learning, and creativity I John D. Bransford, Barry S. Stein.- 2nd

ed.

p. em.

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

ISBN 0-7167-2204-6 (cloth).- ISBN 0-7167-2205-4 (pbk.)

1. Problem solving. 2. Thought and thinking. 3. Creative

ability. 4. Learning, Psychology of. I. Stein, Barry S.

II. Title.

BF449.73 1993

153.4'3-dc20

92-36163

CIP

Copyright 1984, 1993 by W. H. Freeman and Company

No part of this book may be reproduced by any mechanical, photographic, or electronic process, or in the form of a phonographic recording, nor may it be stored in a retrieval system, transmitted, or otherwise copied for public or private use, without written permission form the publisher.

Printed in the United States of America

l 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 VB 9 9 8 7 6 5 4 3

To

J. Rshle~ Bransford and her outstanding namesakes: Rnn Bransford and Jimmie Brown.

nnd to

Michael, Norma. and Eli Stein

CONTENTS

PREFACE xiii

CHAPTER I THE IMPORTANCE OF PROBLEM SOLVING

New Views about Thinking and Problem Solving 3 Some Common Approaches to Problems 7 Mental Escapes I0 The Purpose and Structure of This Book 12 Notes 13 ? Suggested Readings 14

PART I

A fRAMEWORK FOR USING KNOWLEDGE MORE EFFECTIVELY I 7 CHAPTER 2

A MODEL FOR IMPROVING PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS 19

The IDEAL Approach to Problem Solving 19 Failure to Identify the Possibility of Future Problems 22

The Importance of Conceptual Inventions 26 The Importance of Systematic Analysis 27

The Importance of Using External Representations 29 Some Additional General Strategies 30

The Importance of Specialized Concepts and Strategies 3 I

. . Contents

The Importance of Acting on Strategies to Evaluate Outcomes 35 The IDEAL Cycle 38

Blocks to Creative Problem Solving 39 Summary 40 ? Exercises 41 ? Notes 48 ? Suggested Readings 49

CHAPTER 3 CREATIVITY AND THE IDEAL FRAMEWORK 51

Identify Problems and Opportunities 52 Define Alternative Goals 55 Explore Possible Strategies 60 Anticipate and Act 67 Look and Learn 71

The IDEAL Cycle and Creativity 75 Summary 76 ? Exercises 77 ? Notes 79 ? Suggested Readings 81

CHAPTER 4 INTELLIGENT CRITICISM 83

The Importance of Evaluating Arguments 83 Three Ways of Critically Evaluating Arguments 85

The Analysis of Factual Claims 86 Evaluating the Reasoning of Arguments 92

The Analysis of Key Assumptions I00 Summary I04 ? Exercises I05 ? Notes I09 ? Suggested Readings I I0

CHAPTER 5 EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION I I 3

The Importance of Identifying Communication Problems I 13 Three Ways of Defining Communication Goals 114 Message 115

Contents-

Audience I 16 Presentation Medium 122 Evaluating the Effectiveness of Your Attempts to Communicate 126 Summary 128 ? Exercises 128 ? Notes 129 ? Suggested Readings 130

PART2

A MODEL FOR ACQUIRING NEW KNOWLEDGE 131 CHAPTER 6

IMPROVING MEMORY SKILLS 133

Remembering as Problem Solving 134 Understanding Basic Memory Processes 137

Strategies for Remembering 144 Adapting and Inventing Memory Strategies 153 Summary 155 ? Exercises 157 ? Notes 159 ? Suggested Readings 160

CHAPTER 7 LEARNING WITH UNDERSTANDING 163

Comprehension as Problem Solving 164 Learning about New Areas of Knowledge 168 Anticipating Outcomes and Acting on Comprehension Strategies 179 Looking at the Effects and Learning to Learn 185 The IDEAL Cycle and Lifelong Learning 186 Summary 187 ? Exercises 188 ? Notes 190 ? Suggested Readings 193

CHAPTER 8 INSTRUCTION THAT FACILITATES PROBLEM SOLVING 195

Why Problem Solving Needs to Be an Integral Part of Education 196 Problems with Traditional Approaches to Instruction 197

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