Abstract
This chapter outlines two distinct types of collaborative problem solving tasks – content-free and content-dependent – each allowing students to apply different strategies to solve problems collaboratively. Content-free tasks were developed to emphasise the enhancement of inductive and deductive thinking skills. Content-dependent tasks allow students to draw on knowledge gained through traditional learning areas or subjects within the curriculum. The collaborative problem solving framework emphasises communication for the purpose of information gathering, identification of available and required information, identification and analysis of patterns in the data, formulation of contingencies or rules, generalisation of rules, and test hypotheses. Characteristics of tasks which were identified as appropriate for eliciting collaborative problem solving processes are reported and illustrated by exemplar items.
The views expressed N. Zoanetti, in this chapter are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Notes
- 1.
The acronym ATC21STM has been globally trademarked. For purposes of simplicity the acronym is presented throughout the chapter as ATC21S.
References
Adams, R., Vista, A., Scoular, C., Awwal, N., Griffin, P., & Care, E. (2015). Automatic coding procedures for collaborative problem solving. In P. Griffin & E. Care (Eds.), Assessment and teaching of 21st century skills: Methods and approach (pp. 115–132). Dordrecht: Springer.
Awwal, N., Griffin, P., & Scalise, S. (2015). Platforms for delivery of collaborative tasks. In P. Griffin & E. Care (Eds.), Assessment and teaching of 21st century skills: Methods and approach (pp. 105–113). Dordrecht: Springer.
Funke, J. (1991). Solving complex problems: Exploration and control of complex systems. In R. J. Sternberg & P. A. Frensch (Eds.), Complex problem solving: Principles and mechanisms (pp. 185–222). Hillsdale: Erlbaum.
Garofalo, J., & Lester, F. (1985). Metacognition, cognitive monitoring, and mathematical performance. Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, 16(3), 163–176.
Griffin, P. (2014). Performance assessment of higher order thinking. Journal of Applied Measurement, 15(1), 1–16.
Hesse, F., Care, E., Buder, J., Sassenberg, K., & Griffin, P. (2015). A framework for teachable collaborative problem solving skills. In P. Griffin & E. Care (Eds.), Assessment and teaching of 21st century skills: Methods and approach (pp. 37–56). Dordrecht: Springer.
Newell, A., & Simon, H. A. (1972). Human problem solving. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall.
Petković, M. (2009). Famous puzzles of great mathematicians. Providence: American Mathematical Society.
Polya, G. (1945). How to solve it (1st ed.). Princeton: Princeton University Press.
Polya, G. (1957). How to solve it (2nd ed.). Princeton: Princeton University Press.
Schoenfeld, A. H. (1985). Mathematical problem solving. New York: Academic.
Vollmeyer, R., Burns, B. D., & Holyoak, K. J. (2006). The impact of goal specificity on strategy use and the acquisition of problem structure. Cognitive Science, 20, 75–100.
Zoanetti, N. (2010). Interactive computer based assessment tasks: How problem solving process data can inform instruction. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 26(5), 585–606.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Appendix: Collaborative Problem Solving Tasks
Appendix: Collaborative Problem Solving Tasks
In this appendix, screenshots of collaborative problem solving tasks, not described in detail in this chapter, are presented. The tasks are Hexagons, Hot Chocolate, Plant Growth, Small Pyramids, Shared Garden, Sunflower, Warehouse, Light box.
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2015 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Care, E., Griffin, P., Scoular, C., Awwal, N., Zoanetti, N. (2015). Collaborative Problem Solving Tasks. In: Griffin, P., Care, E. (eds) Assessment and Teaching of 21st Century Skills. Educational Assessment in an Information Age. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-9395-7_4
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-9395-7_4
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-017-9394-0
Online ISBN: 978-94-017-9395-7
eBook Packages: Humanities, Social Sciences and LawEducation (R0)