Learning to Solve Problems: A Handbook for Designing Problem-Solving Learning Environments

This book provides a comprehensive, up-to-date look at problem-solving research and practice over the last fifteen years. The first chapter describes differences in types of problems, individual differences among problem solvers, as well as the domain and context within which a problem is being solved.

Part I describes six kinds of problems and the methods required to solve them.
Part II goes beyond traditional discussions of case design and introduces seven different purposes or functions of cases, the building blocks of problem-solving learning environments. It also describes methods for constructing cases to support problem solving.
Part III introduces a number of cognitive skills required for studying cases and solving problems. Finally,
Part IV describes several methods for assessing problem solving.

Key features include the following:

Teaching Focus—The book is not merely a review of research. It also provides specific research-based advice on how to design problem-solving learning environments.
Illustrative Cases—A rich array of cases illustrates how to build problemsolving learning environments. Part II introduces seven different functions of cases and also describes the parameters of a case.
Chapter Integration—Key theories and concepts are addressed across chapters and links to other chapters are made explicit. The idea is to show how different kinds of problems, cases, skills, and assessments are integrated.
Author Expertise—A prolific researcher and writer, the author has been researching and publishing books and articles on learning to solve problems for the past fifteen years.

David H. Jonassen is Curators’ Professor of Educational Psychology and Learning Technologies at the University of Missouri.