Student Perception of Problem Solving Skills

Problem solving is a critical component of a comprehensive 21st century education.This study investigates the perceptions of students of taking a university liberal education course designed to develop problem-solving skills.We describe how the participants in the study created their own understanding of what problem solving skills are and why they are important.Based on both quantitative and qualitative data collected before, during and after the course, students reported increased communication skills, increased awareness of the importance of problem-solving skills in their major, and significantly increased confidence in their problem-solving abilities.They also demonstrated a strong awareness of how the skills they acquired transfer to both academic and real-world environments.