cover image: The Role of Strategies and Knowledge in Problem Solving: A Review of the Literature.

The Role of Strategies and Knowledge in Problem Solving: A Review of the Literature.

Current research continues to attempt to determine factors, or combinations of factors, which influence efficacy in problem solving behaviors. This presentation combines several viewpoints regarding the most important component, or combination of components, needed for the most successful problem solving behaviors to occur. Quantitative literature is reviewed in the area of problem solving with emphasis in both: (1) the interacting influence of strategies and knowledge, and (2) the influence of strategies independent of knowledge. Findings suggest that knowledge permits an individual to engage in higher levels of reflective thinking or metacognitive strategies. With knowledge, the problems can be represented more completely. A more complete representation allows for more efficient and effective reflective monitoring of the problem solving process. It appears that the reflective thinking processes, which encourage elaboration on a problem, are instrumental in producing the most efficient problem solving behaviors. Findings suggest that these metacognitive strategies need to be specifically taught to students. Also of interest, is the finding which suggests that use of examples of problem solutions facilitates transfer to analogical problems. (Contains 17 references.) (Author)

Authors

Harmon, Michelle G.

Peer Reviewed
F
Publication Type
Information Analyses
Published in
United States of America

Table of Contents