The Ideal Problem Solver: Guide for Improving Thinking, Learning and Creativity

Table of Contents:
CHAPTER I THE IMPORTANCE OF PROBLEM SOLVING: New Views about Thinking and Problem Solving; Some Common Approaches to Problems; Menmi Escapes; The Purpose and Structure of This Book; PART I A FRAMEWORK FOR USING KNOWLEDGE MORE EFFECTIVELY: CHAPTER 2 A MODEL FOR IMPROVING PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS: The IDEAL Approach to Problem Solving; Failure to Identify the Possibility of Future Problems; The Importance of Conceptual Inventions; The Importance of Systematic Analysis; The Importance of Using External Representations; Some Additional General Strategies; The Importance of Specialized Concepts and Strategies; The Importance of Acting on Strategies to Evaluate Outcomes; The IDEAL Cycle; Blocks to Creative Problem Solving; CHAPTER 3 CREATIVITY AND THE IDEAL FRAMEWORK: Identify Problems and Opportunities; Define Alternative Goals; Explore Possible Strategies; Anticipate and Act; Look and Learn; The IDEAL Cycle and Creativity; CHAPTER 4 INTELLIGENT CRITICISM: The Importance of Evaluating Arguments; Three Ways of Critically Evaluating Arguments; The Analysis of Factual Claims; Evaluating the Reasoning of Arguments; The Analysis of Key Assumptions; CHAPTER 5 EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION: The Importance of Identifying Communication Problems; Three Ways of Defining Communication Goals; Message; Audience; Presentation Medium; Evaluating the Effectiveness of Your Attempts to Communicate; PART 2 A MODEL FOR ACQUIRING NEW KNOWLEDGE: CHAPTER 6 IMPROVING MEMORY SKILLS: Remembering as Problem Solving; Understanding Basic Memory Processes; Strategies for Remembering; Adapting and Inventing Memory Strategies; CHAPTER 7 LEARNING WITH UNDERSTANDING : Comprehension as Problem Solving; Learning about New Areas of Knowledge; Anticipating Outcomes and Acting on Comprehension; Strategies; Looking at the Effects and Learning to Learn; The IDEAL Cycle and Lifelong Learning; CHAPTER 8 INSTRUCTION THAT FACILITATES PROBLEM SOLVING: Why Problem Solving Needs to Be an Integral Part of Education; Problems with Traditional Approaches to Instruction; Organizing Learning Around Problem Solving; General Issues Related to Problem-Based Learning; The Importance of Opportunities for Assessment; CHAPTER 9 CONCLUDING REMARKS: The Development of Problem-Solving Skills; Attitudes; Notes. APPENDIX A ANSWERS TO PROBLEMS IN TEXT. APPENDIX B ANSWERS TOEXERCISES. APPENDIX C IDEAL PROBLEM NAVIGATION GUIDE.