ERIC Number: EJ847602
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2006-Nov
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1683-1381
EISSN: N/A
Investigating Singapore Pre-Service Teachers' Ill-Structured Problem-Solving Processes in an Asynchronous Online Environment: Implications for Reflective Thinking
Ng, Connie S. L.; Tan, Charlene
New Horizons in Education, n54 p1-15 Nov 2006
Background: Solving ill-structured problems is an important aspect in many professions, including the teaching profession. It is therefore appropriate to engage pre-service teachers in solving ill-structured problems. Aim: This study investigates the ill-structured problem-solving processes in an un-moderated asynchronous discussion for one group of pre-service teachers in Singapore. Sample: 21 pre-service teachers taking a post-graduate diploma teacher preparation course at the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. The module in this study is a course entitled "Teaching and Classroom Management". Method: The number of postings by the pre-service teacher on the different processes of ill-structured problem solving and the interactions amongst the participants are analyzed. Result: The study reveals the weakness of the pre-service teachers in articulating the problem space and their tendency to go straight to generating solutions without going through the other processes of ill-structured problem solving. This paper further points out that these weaknesses are due to insufficient reflective thinking on the part of the pre-service teachers. Conclusion: Possible strategies to improve the extent of ill-structured problem solving include using films and journal writing to trigger reflective thinking in the pre-service teachers and encourage them to go through the seven steps of the ill-structured problem solving processes. This understanding can inform future use of using asynchronous online discussions to engage learners in ill-structured problem solving. (Contains 3 tables.)
Descriptors: Classroom Techniques, Problem Solving, Foreign Countries, Asynchronous Communication, Preservice Teacher Education, Preservice Teachers, Investigations, Online Courses, Content Analysis, Student Journals, Problem Based Learning, Cognitive Style, Reflection
Hong Kong Teachers' Association. 242 Nathan Road, National Court 7/F, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Tel: +852-2367-3420; Fax: +852-2722-4813; e-mail: hkta1934@yahoo.com.hk; Web site: http://www.cpe.ied.edu.hk/newhorizon
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Singapore
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A