Compelling Why's for Solution Seeking
Compelling Whys for Teaching and Using the Solution Seeking Process
Solves Problems
Often teachers and students use the Solution Seeking Process to arrive at meaningful solutions. Once solved, these problems cease to be a headache for teachers or a deterrent to students.
Models Solution Seeking
The Solution Seeking Process helps create for students and teachers a solution seeking mindset. Time and effort are focused on finding solutions. Blaming and punishing for something that happened in the past are not useful. Finding a solution so that there is improvement in the future is useful. Effective teachers invite students to perceive themselves as part of the solution rather than drawing attention to how they are part of the problem.
Creates a Common Opponent
Students and teachers who repeatedly use the Solution Seeking Process learn to see the problem as the opponent, not each other. They realize the opponent can be beaten — the problem can be solved — by working together. The process puts teachers and students on the same side.
Builds Cohesion
This process builds group cohesiveness and feelings of belonging. As students improve their ability to work together, they experience interrelationship and feel more connected. Notions of “us,” “we,” and “our” are strengthened.
The more a class works together to solve mutual problems, the
more clearly students see themselves not only as a unit, but as a problem-solving unit — what a useful, healthy way for a class to picture itself!
Develops Ownership for Solutions
so by:
- Blaming someone else: “He made me do it!”
- Lying their way out of a situation: “I didn’t do it!”
- Sweeping the problem under a rug and ignoring it: “What problem?”
- Giving up: “I can’t do it!”
- Depending on others: “It’s your job to solve problems, not mine.”
Repeated use of the Solution Seeking Process helps students face problems, accept ownership, and generate solutions. They learn to see themselves as functioning solution seekers rather than disinterested spectators.
Builds Self-Responsibility
The Solution Seeking Process fosters self-responsibility and self-discipline. Students learn to look inward for solutions and to trust their own judgments and problem-solving abilities. They learn to be responsible for their collective and individual selves by facing problems and solving them rather than letting others solve problems for them. They learn to rely on themselves and one another.
The essence of self-responsibility and self-discipline is making a plan and following through. When students decide to do something and then act in accordance with that decision, they experience self-control. They feel their power and their potency. You have helped stamp out learned helplessness.
Reflects Reality
The final rationale for using the Solution Seeking Process is that it is deeply rooted in reality. It brings real situations to school and touches the lives of students “where they live.” A variety of real issues surface during the school year. Problems like the ones below do not need to be dreamed up. They simply occur and provide an excellent opportunity for solution seeking practice:
- Finding alternatives to saying “Shhh” when you want your neighbor to be quiet.
- Deciding how to decorate the class teepee.
- Creating ways to deal with people who won’t take their “outs” during dodge ball.
- Figuring out how to control tracking in mud after recess.
- Getting everyone in a group to participate.
- Finding volunteers to decorate the homecoming float.
- Learning how to treat the microscopes with respect.
These types of situations test our ability to cooperate and live together in mutual respect. They provide real practice for finding real solutions to real problems.
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