Weekly Writing #4 - The Problem Solving Approach

Problem Solving Skills is a must/need to know skill that all employers are looking for in their employees. Students in the agricultural field learn these skills through many opportunities in the FFA. With FFA being part of the three circle model in Agricultural Education, the skills are learned through the classroom/laboratory portion of the model as well.

The problem solving approach followers Bransford's Ideal problem solving model which includes:
1. experience aproactive situation
2. defining the problem - clarifying the question to be answered
3. seeking data and information
4. formulating possible solutions
5. test possible solutions
6. evaluating results

These are all achieved by 

• interest approach
• objectives to be achieved
• problems to be solved or answered
• test solution through applications
• evaluation of solutions or assessments 

To sum it all up the problem solving approach has been used for a long time. (reminds me of the scientific method). It gives the students the skills needed to work in a real life job.