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Provide Stepped Examples of Worked/Solved Problems

Tags

Mathematics Science All Ages Strategy

Skills

Abstract Reasoning

Provide Stepped Examples of Worked/Solved Problems

If your student might struggle to learn a complex new topic in math or science

Instruction And Practice

  1. Objective: Provide "worked" or partially solved problems in steps, so students can work through the example and then transfer the knowledge in manageable steps.
  2. Provide examples of solved problems in steps. Teach and model how to approach a worked example carefully. Students should read and then re-do each step on their own so they are actively solving the example problem. In multi-step problems, give students different steps to solve in each example so they know how to approach each interim step. Don't assume they will know "how to finish the rest." Give a different problem for each step will minimize the feeling of being overwhelmed and provide more of a sense of accomplishment
  3. As students grow more advanced in a specific topic, the presented worked problems should be gradually phased out.
  4. Worked examples might show interim solutions, or they could include step-by-step explanations. The amount of information will vary by the student's needs and topic.
  5. Worked examples could also include problems solved with visual models to provide students the practice mathematically drawing their solutions.

Why It Works (the Science Of Learning)!

Research suggests that a layered approach provides instructional guidance that is more effective than formally teaching a lesson, using examples, and then giving a problem set for the student to complete. By alternating between worked example problems and then solving problems themselves, students pay more attention to the example because they know they are going to need to use the strategies or steps to solve the next problem independently. They also do a better job of recognizing what they do not know and learning from any mistakes.

Best-suited for students with weaker: Attention, Long-term Memory, Metacognition, Working Memory, Processing Speed (Source: Digital Promise Learner Variability Project)