Problem Solving Technique

One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary, but warmth is a vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child.
-Carl Jung

Thinking out loud for the tutor and the tutee

Once a student has described a problem that they are having, a tutor should attempt to "go public" with what they have been told by stating aloud what the student has told them. This allows the student to hear what the tutor thinks the student has stated. The student is then invited to "go public" with what they have heard from the tutor. This will identify what the student does not understand and what the tutor sees as the problem.

If this is done within a small group, make sure that the group knows that their response is to help with the thinking process not to criticize errors that they hear presented to the group.

This technique takes the problem out of the realm of the printed page or the frustrations that mount from only thinking about it.

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