Key Phrases to Support Deep Understanding and Creative Problem-Solving in the Classroom
Helping our kids to solve problems in the classroom can be a tricky business. Often, the easier path is to do it for them or to lead them to the outcome. In the long run, however, this route robs our students of the opportunity for personal victory.
Let’s imagine something familiar — a student who spends several days preparing for a major exam and then forgets everything after completing the test paper. This is a typical example of an unsuccessful learning scenario based on shallow and superficial learning.
The goal of Eduten and indeed, Finland’s education philosophy, is the exact opposite. Eduten encourages deep understanding and problem solving by way of design. However, there are also some key phrases we can use with our students that can steer them in the direction of autonomous problem-solving.
You can encourage deeper problem-solving in the classroom with the following five phrases:
Try three before you ask me!
I know this is a problem you can solve.
Where can you find more information about this?
Can you explain how you came up with that answer?
Show me the hard part.
When done right, creative problem solving enables students to confidently overcome unexpected challenges and solve new kinds of problems. Students need to be able to think for themselves instead of repeating something without using their own brain. They need to be creative and innovative. This is vital for the growth of successful and thriving future generations and nations.
Finland Math promotes metacognition, creative problem solving and shame-free mistake-making via gamified math. How about introducing Finland’s number #1 digital learning platform into your classroom today? If you haven’t already signed up, now is the time. Come join us by clicking this link for a free four-week trial in your classroom.
Hey, did you know that we also have a podcast about Finnish Education Perspectives? All of our guests are the best experts in Finnish education. Listen to it through your preferred podcast channel here.
