Page:SELECTED ESSAYS of Dr. S. S. KALBAG.pdf/83

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PROBLEM SOLVING ORIENTATION IN EDUCATION This paper puts forward the case for problem solving orientation in education, particularly school education. After describing what problem solving means, it discusses why problem-solving orientation is necessary. And then it suggests how this could be introduced in school education. What is problem solving? It is common in most schools to give "problems" in mathematics to students for drilling the skills. This is not the problem solving we have in mind. Nor does problem solving include the "brain teasers" or quizzes that are published in popular magazines, with the answers given overleaf. All of us get involved in some activity. While we can go through most of it without consciously thinking of it, there are occasions when things go wrong and our thinking process is called into action. The housewife has to prepare tea for a visiting friend. She can go through the acts of boiling the water, taking out the tea leaves, laying the table etc. on "auto pilot", while she is busy chatting with her friend. When she goes to the tea packet and if she finds it empty, her mind is Rural Development Through Education System 70