Communities Resolving Our Problems: the basic idea
[SUP: Sharing Problems] [THINK: Guidance] [LEAP: Solving Problems]

Model 1: Basic CROP Model    Model 2: Sub-Models    Model 3: Full eCROP Toolbox Model 4: iCurriculum Table1  Model 5: iCurriculum Table-Full

Full Curriculum Integration Table: LEAP

 This table compares the language of methods for solving problems in different curriculum areas to the LEAP model. Note also how the language of one curriculum area extends the range of thought from another. In this comparison, the processes or procedures are similar across strands. The differences come in the basic elements of each system being used, a step generally unmentioned in those writing about such processes. For educators preparing lessons, delineating, understanding and communicating the specifics of a strand is critical for the learners success. [Print Instructions]
Curriculum Strands Computers
Composition Communication Calculation System language
Teacher/Learner Composing/Writing
(text, programming, audio, image, choreography, animation, video, virtual reality, sensor systems)
Reading-Writing (2) Social Studies Library-
Information-Skills (Big 6) (1)
Math (3) Science Technological Design (4) (engineers, architects, computer scientists. etc.) Local Actions
(e.g., w.p., db, ss, program, draw, paint, video, audio)
Global Tools (networks of computers)
Look
  • Learn the basic elements of the system
  • Teacher assigns or guides learning experience; independent learner discerns problem; a certain level of skill and knowledge is required before more independent work proceeds.
  • Learn the basic elements of the system
  • Pre-Composing/
  • Pre-Writing
  • Step 0: Learn the basic elements of the system
    Step 1: Preparation
    • Problem Solving
      • Establishing purpose
      • Tying in background knowledge and experience
      • Data gathering
    • Brainstorming
      • Social exchange
      • Motivating
      • Language generation
    • Mapping
      • Building bridges from known to unknown
      • Giving learner confidence
      • Dealing with fear of unknown
    • Readiness
      • Previewing
      • Prewriting
      • Initial drafting
      • Understanding pattern of communication
      • Recognizing audience
     
  • Learn the basic elements of the system

  • 1 make choices 
    2 discover alternatives 
    8 see personal patterns
    0. Learn the basic elements of the system
    1. Task Definition 
    -Define task or info. problem 
    -Identify info. needed to solve it 
    2. Info. Seeking Strategies 
    -Brainstorm all possible sources 
    -Select the best sources 
    3. Location and Access 
    -Locate the sources 
    -Find info within the source 
    4. Use of Information 
    -Read, hear, view, touch 
    -Extract relevant information
  • Learn the basic elements of the system
  • identify problem and understand it
  • Learn the basic elements of the system
     
     
     
     
     
     

    Problem Posing
    observe

  • Learn the basic elements of the system
  • identifying and defining a problem
  • research
  • find, read, cut, copy, paste, renumber, outline 

    (humans, not computers, choose problems and purposes)

    Search online databases ; know online contact & reference systems
    Evoke Learner works more independently in solving problem, keeping progress in a computer folder(s) as appropriate.
  • Composing
  • Writing
  • Step 2: Implementation 
    • Interacting actively with print
    • Processing Language (i.e., reading and writing)
    • Thinking through language
    4 consider feelings 
    5 create systems (economic process)
    5. Synthesis 
    -Organize information from multiple sources
  • propose strategies, such as: 
    • Guess and check (if multiple choices) 
    • Make an organized list (if logic problems) 
    • Look for patterns (if repetition problems) 
    • Draw a diagram (if word problems) 
    • Act it out (if collaborating) 
    • Work backwards (if long problems) 
    • Do a simpler related problem (if haven't seen the problem before)
  • analyze merits
  • choose strategies or strategy
  • Problem Solving
    develop hypotheses 
    conduct experiments 
    draw conclusions
  • generate/invent a number of ideas for solutions
  • sketch and/or model
  • select one or two of the most promising ideas and build
  • type, draw, play, voice, etc. 

    (humans, not tools, generate and elaborate)

    computer conferencing (Netnews, LISTSERVs), collaborative screen use of any program, collaborative writing, talk, chat, email
    Assess Teacher & learner discuss, dialog and seek growing list of others in the discussion. Revising/ Editing Step 3: Application
    • Applying new concepts learned
    • Revising for an outside audience
    • Editing
    3 weigh consequences 
    6 public sharing
    1. Execute strategy.
    2. Check the problem and the correctness of the answer.
    Persuasion
  • test the design or model
  • troubleshoot problems
  • return to invention phase, replacing designs that fail until one works
  • check, lookup, read, listen 

    (tools have nothing to say about the substance of the teacher and learner's work)

    email, groupware, netphone, video conferencing (CU-SeeMe, private networks)
    Publish/ Perform Teacher & learner seek a "stage" where project can be shared. Final evaluation can be done in several ways.
  • Performing/
  • Publish
  • Step 3 (cont.):
    • Transferring of learning away from the computer
    7 act on values 5. Synthesis 
    -present the information 
    6. Evaluation 
    -Judge the process (efficiency) 
    -Judge the product (effectiveness)
    Share findings
  • communicating processes and results
  • marketing
  • table of contents, index, format, print 

    (humans, not tools, have value systems thru which to appreciate or take comparative measurement of the works of others)

    Net tools: FTP, gopher, World Wide Web; 
    Legacy systems: TV, radio stations, publishing houses.

    Sources:
    Library Skills -
    1. Eisenberg M.B. & Berkowitz, D. J. (1988). The big six skills approach to information problem solving in computer skills for information problem solving. ERIC Digest ED 392 463. See also: Wealth Beyond Measure- ; -Information Literacy as a Liberal Art, Shapiro, J. J. & Hughes, Shelley (March/April, 1996). Educom Review.

    2. Howie, Sherry H. (1989). Reading, Writing, and Computers: Planning for Integration. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn and Bacon. This column taken from Table 1-1, p.8.
    "...(C)omposing depends on what the reader/writer knows. Therefore, a major factor in the process is ensuring that the language user has a sufficient knowledge and experience base" (p.34). That is, the Look phase is significant to further understanding of a topic whether reading or writing.

    (3) Polya, George (1945). How To Solve It. Princeton University Press.

    (4) from the International Technology Education Association (ITEA) (2000). Standards for Technological Literacy. pp. 5-6, and chapter 5-design. [Online: http://www.iteawww.org/TAA/PDF/xstnd.pdf, April 7, 2001.]

    ==== See also:
    Kadesch, R.R. (1997). Problem Solving Across the Disciplines : Preliminary Edition. Prentice Hall Press. [200 pages; ISBN: 0136541879]


    Developed 1991. Last updated April 8, 2001.To Think Home Page.

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