Teaching Problem Solving In Vocational Education

An important aim for vocational education and training in both the school and past-school sector is the development of thinking skills, which are necessary for the flexible and adaptable performance of work tasks. Drawing on cognitive theories about learning and problem-solving, Rebecca Soden argues that thinking processes cannot be detached from the context in which they are being applied. Thinking skills, therefore, are most effectively developed along with vocational competencies and not as the separate add-on courses which have been popular in schools and colleges. The author offers suggestions on how students can learn information in ways which will enhance its use in subsequent problem-solving and looks at the problems many encounter in the transfer of learning. Sections of lesson plans show how the techniques work in practice, and there is also advice on how to assess problem-solving.