“Problem Trees”

1. “Problem Trees” Cooperative learning Maria Navarro

2. The problem tree Effects Solutions Solutions Problem http://www.comminit.com/planningmodels/pmodels/planningmodels-126.html Causes

3. The problem tree • A tool to analyze complex issues • Helps to “specify and investigate the causes and effects of a problem” and the “relationships between them” (1) • It also helps to formulate, analyze, evaluate the different solutions to the problem

4. The problem tree • Problem trees are a good tool for student group work because all students can give different and especial contributions to the work of the group depending on their expertise and knowledge

5. The problem tree • Asking the students to first work individually on the trees and then work with the rest of team members can be very valuable for individual students because the exercise can help them identify areas of weakness (2)

6. Cooperative learning • Invaluable to foster interdisciplinarity, higher order thinking, and holistic knowledge “Nothing new that is really interesting comes without collaboration” (Watson, as cited by Johnson, Johnson, & Smith, 1998)

7. Critical elements to cooperation Figure 1. Elements presented by Johnson, Johnson, and Smith (1998) as critical to cooperation