The afternoon bell rings, but three of your students don't even look up. They’re still huddled together, sketching out a final design for the model bridge they were challenged to build and debating the best materials to use. They completely missed the signal to leave because they were so focused on solving the challenge you gave them at the start of class. They didn't just memorize facts; they were architects for an hour.
That decisive moment is the direct result of the problem-solving method of teaching. The definition of the problem-solving method of teaching is a simple but profound shift: you present students with a compelling challenge before giving them the information. This creates a genuine need to learn and turns your lesson into a valuable tool they need to succeed.
This blog will guide you through the key steps of the problem-solving method of teaching, providing a clear framework to create these powerful, engaging learning experiences in your own classroom.
That kind of deep engagement, where students become architects for an hour, is the core of the problem-solving method of teaching. It’s the strategy that creates those powerful, "lesson is experienced" moments.
So what does it actually mean in practice? The definition of the problem-solving method of teaching is a strategy that flips the traditional learning sequence. Instead of starting with a lecture, you give students a meaningful problem to solve. The content of your lesson, from vocabulary to complex concepts, is then introduced as the exact tool they need to succeed.
Your role naturally shifts from being the source of all information to a guide for discovery. You present the challenge and provide support, but your students are the ones in the driver's seat, actively thinking and collaborating.
Here is a simple problem-solving method of teaching example to show the difference:
- Traditional Method: You start a math lesson by teaching the formula for calculating the area of a rectangle.
- Problem-Solving Method: You start the lesson with a challenge: "You have 24 feet of fencing to build a rectangular dog pen. Design the pen with the largest possible area for the dog to play in."
Suddenly, students have a real reason to understand the formula. They discover the need for it through an engaging, practical challenge, turning your lesson into the solution they were actively looking for.
This framework embodies the core definition of the problem-solving method of teaching by placing your direct instruction right between a problem and its solution.
These three parts are the essential steps of the problem-solving method of teaching.
Step 1: The Challenge
This is where you hook your students, creating the kind of deep engagement that makes them forget the bell is about to ring. Before any lecture, present a compelling problem or a real-world challenge they can't solve yet. This immediately sparks curiosity, a key characteristic of the problem-solving method of teaching.
Your goal is simple: create a genuine "need to know." Your students will begin discussing and brainstorming, quickly realizing they need more information to find the best solution.
Step 2: Provide the Tools
This is your lecture, but now it provides the exact concepts and skills students have realized they need to succeed in their challenge. You provide the key concepts, facts, and skills they are actively seeking.
Your goal is to deliver your core lesson with a clear purpose. Students will listen actively, take notes, and begin making connections to the opening problem.
Step 3: Find the Solution
Send students back to the original mission. Armed with the tools from your lesson, they can now build a real, evidence-based solution. This is where true understanding clicks into place.
Your goal is to let students prove what they have learned. Students will collaborate, think critically, and use their new knowledge to complete the mission.
A Quick Example
Here is a quick problem-solving method of teaching example for a science class.
First, you present the mission: design a container that keeps an ice cube from melting for one hour. Next, you provide the tools by teaching a lesson on heat transfer. Finally, students find the solution by using their new knowledge of heat transfer to design and build their containers.
When you follow the steps of the problem-solving method of teaching, the change in your classroom is noticeable. It’s not just about what students learn; it’s about how they learn.
Here is what you will actually see.
1. You'll See Deeper Connections
Instead of memorizing facts, you'll see students use them. Just as the students acting as architects in our story will grasp concepts by actively applying them to a meaningful goal, so too will the students in your class.
2. You'll See Critical Thinking in Action
A core characteristic of the problem-solving method of teaching is student-led inquiry. You'll see your students analyze challenges and debate solutions, rather than waiting for you to give them the answer.
3. You'll See a More Engaged Classroom
The engaging challenge at the start of the lesson is an instant hook. You’ll see more focused energy and active participation because students have a clear goal they are genuinely motivated to reach.
4. You'll See Authentic Teamwork
This method naturally encourages collaboration. You’ll see students learning from each other, communicating their ideas, and developing the real-world teamwork skills essential for their future.
Adopting the problem-solving method doesn't mean rewriting your entire curriculum. It's about making a small but powerful shift that turns learning into an adventure. By following the simple steps of the problem-solving method of teaching, you will naturally foster its best characteristics of the problem-solving method of teaching: deep engagement, critical thinking, and authentic teamwork.
As you continue to build a more dynamic and effective classroom, our PgCTL program offers the perfect next step to master these innovative strategies. For personalized guidance on your professional journey, you can always talk to a teacher career expert.
