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Guide to Teaching Computer Science pp 63–78Cite as

Problem-Solving Strategies

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Abstract

Problem solving is one of the central activities performed by computer scientists as well as computer science learners. However, computer science learners often face difficulties in problem analysis and solution construction. Therefore, it is important that computer science educators be aware of these difficulties and acquire appropriate pedagogical tools to help their learners gain experience in these skills. This chapter is dedicated to these pedagogical tools. It presents several problem-solving strategies to address in the MTCS course together with appropriate activities to mediate them to the prospective computer science teachers.

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Notes

  1. 1.

     An algorithmic problem is defined by what is given – the initial conditions of the problem, and its goals – the desired state, what should be accomplished. An algorithm problem can be solved with a series of actions formulated formally either by pseudo code or a programming language.

  2. 2.

     In advanced computer science classes, it is relevant to mention that in computer science, in addition to the development of problem solving strategies, special emphasis is placed also on non-solvable problems (see Chap. 9).

  3. 3.

     The roles of variables home page (http://www.cs.joensuu.fi/~saja/var_roles/) is very rich and contains different kinds of educational resources.

  4. 4.

     See http://www.cs.joensuu.fi/~saja/var_roles/role_intro.html

  5. 5.

     See http://www.cs.joensuu.fi/~saja/var_roles/try.html

  6. 6.

     See http://cs.joensuu.fi/~pgerdt/RAE/

  7. 7.

     See http://www.cs.joensuu.fi/~saja/var_roles/why_roles.html

  8. 8.

     See http://www.cs.joensuu.fi/~saja/var_roles/teaching.html

  9. 9.

     See http://www.cs.joensuu.fi/~saja/var_roles/literature.html

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. Education in Technology & Science, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, Haifa, Israel

    Dr. Orit Hazzan (Associate Professor) & Dr. Tami Lapidot

  2. Computer Science Studies, School of Education, Beit Berl College, Doar Beit Berl, Israel

    Dr. Noa Ragonis

Authors
  1. Dr. Orit Hazzan
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  2. Dr. Tami Lapidot
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  3. Dr. Noa Ragonis
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Correspondence to Orit Hazzan .

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Hazzan, O., Lapidot, T., Ragonis, N. (2011). Problem-Solving Strategies. In: Guide to Teaching Computer Science. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-85729-443-2_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-85729-443-2_5

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