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Related Concept Videos

Problem-Solving01:29

Problem-Solving

Effective problem-solving consists of two steps: 1. identifying the problem and 2. selecting the appropriate problem-solving strategy (i.e., a plan of action used to find a solution). Humans use four problem-solving strategies:
Solving Problems in Physics02:32

Solving Problems in Physics

Problem-solving is the ability to apply general physical principles to specific situations, usually expressed by equations. It is an essential skill in physics, and can also be useful for applying physics in everyday life as well. Analytical skills and problem-solving abilities can be applied to new situations, compared to a list of facts, which can never be extensive enough to include every possible circumstance. To solve physics problems, a certain amount of creativity and insight is...
Cognitive Learning01:21

Cognitive Learning

Cognitive learning is based on purposive behavior, incidental learning, and insight learning.
E. C. Tolman's theory of purposive behavior emphasizes that much behavior is goal-directed. He argued that to understand behavior, we must look at the entire sequence of actions leading to a goal. For instance, high school students study hard, not just due to past reinforcement but also to achieve the goal of getting into a good college.
Tolman introduced the idea that behavior is influenced by...
Heuristics01:21

Heuristics

Heuristics are problem-solving strategies that use mental shortcuts to simplify decision-making. Unlike algorithms, which must be followed precisely to achieve a correct result, heuristics offer a general problem-solving framework. They save time and energy but can sometimes lead to less rational decisions.
People often rely on heuristics when faced with an overload of information, limited time, low importance of the decision, limited information, or when a heuristic readily comes to mind. For...
Principal Stresses: Problem Solving01:15

Principal Stresses: Problem Solving

When analyzing two planes intersecting at right angles under the influence of shearing, tensile, and compressive stresses, it is essential to identify principal planes, maximum shearing stress, and principal stresses. To find the principal planes, apply a formula that equates them to twice the shearing stress divided by the difference between tensile and compressive stresses.
Coping Strategies: Problem Focused01:27

Coping Strategies: Problem Focused

Coping strategies are methods people use to manage, tolerate, or reduce the effects of stressors. These strategies involve both behavioral and psychological actions to handle stressful situations. One common approach is problem-focused coping, which aims to change or eliminate the source of stress rather than merely addressing its consequences. This method involves taking direct action to resolve the issue causing stress.
For example, consider a student who struggles to understand their...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 11, 2026

Problem-Solving Before Instruction (PS-I): A Protocol for Assessment and Intervention in Students with Different Abilities
10:26

Problem-Solving Before Instruction (PS-I): A Protocol for Assessment and Intervention in Students with Different Abilities

Published on: September 11, 2021

Understanding undergraduates' problem-solving processes.

Ross H Nehm1

  • 1School of Teaching and Learning, and Dept. of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210.

Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education
|May 9, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Effective problem-solving in biology requires understanding context, internal modeling, and cognitive resource management. Undergraduate biology education currently underemphasizes these crucial problem-solving skills.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 11, 2026

Problem-Solving Before Instruction (PS-I): A Protocol for Assessment and Intervention in Students with Different Abilities
10:26

Problem-Solving Before Instruction (PS-I): A Protocol for Assessment and Intervention in Students with Different Abilities

Published on: September 11, 2021

Area of Science:

  • Biology Education
  • Cognitive Science

Background:

  • Effective problem-solving is a core goal in biology education.
  • Current biology curricula inadequately incorporate findings from educational and cognitive science research on problem-solving processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight key facets of problem-solving processes relevant to biology.
  • To introduce methodologies for assessing how undergraduate students perceive and represent biological problems.

Main Methods:

  • The study reviews educational and cognitive science literature on problem-solving.
  • It proposes methodologies such as context recognition tasks and problem representation practice.

Main Results:

  • Successful problem-solving involves sensitivity to context, internal modeling, and cognitive resource management.
  • These critical components are notably absent in typical biology curricula.

Conclusions:

  • Biology education must integrate strategies that foster context recognition, problem representation, and cognitive resource management.
  • Implementing these strategies can significantly improve students' biological problem-solving abilities.