David H. Jonassen

Problem solving

• Most authentic learning activity
• More transfer
• Intentional & meaningful
• Lack of context=forgetting
• Life is short

Well-defined

Ill-Defined

99 Problems

Overview of Theory:
Taxonomy of Problem Types

Influential Theorists

• Gagne: different learning= different instruction
• Merrill: first principle of instruction= must be problem-centered
• Constructivists: Bruner, Lave, Collins, Brown, & Newman/Duguid

Related Theories

• Problem-based learning
• Case-Based learning
• Discovery learning
• Situated Learning
• Cognitive flexibility theory
• Focus on cognition, less focus on social interactions

Theory or Research?

Contribution to the field

• Filled in gaps in id theory regarding problem-solving
• helped push field of id and technology in a constructivist direction

Relevant Points to Teaching Adults

• Solving different types of problems requires different skills & instruction
• A problem is only engaging if it is worth answering/authentic
• Storytelling (using cases) is a good substitute for direct experience
• Students in pbles remember things longer, transfer knowledge better, and are more self-regulated

Personal thoughts
"Unless learners are required to engage in complex learning, they will develop oversimplified views of the world."

Jonassen References

• 2011. Learning to solve problems: a handbook for designing problem-solving learning environments
• 2004. Learning to solve problems: an instructional design guide