Challenge Problems: A Method to Improve Critical Thinking Skills

The traditional form-factor and delivery method for homework has become less effective as student attitudes towards homework have changed to reflect access to digital modalities. These elements have created an evolving landscape with respect to role of homework. In a sense, our approach to homework has been influenced by the established culture whereby "it has always been done this way." This work introduces a framework to address these changes while increasing context awareness and proficiency with the overall workflow. Performance feedback, overall grade impact and access to relevant examples are among the factors motivating student engagement with homework. As the efficacy of homework has decreased, educators are looking for new learning activities to strengthen student preparation. Ideally, the objective of homework should transition from the reinforcement of ideas to the development of critical thinking skills. Our approach is to introduce an activity to supplement traditional textbook problems in an effort extend the bounds of critical thinking and improve student engagement. Students are presented with a set of open-end problems that challenge them to move beyond the boundaries of their textbook problems. These weekly prompts, referred to as "challenge problems" serve to illustrate concepts in an integrated context. Student response to the "challenge" problem framework has been positive and evaluation of exam data indicate improved performance on exam questions involving combined concepts. Students also express an improved ability to "start" problems in later stages of the class. In aggregate, they exhibit a greater confidence with respect to critical thinking and recognize the importance formulating an appropriate solution strategy at the onset of the process. The challenge problems have been woven into the course lectures and their solutions often serve to scaffold upcoming lecture material. Several example problems are provided. This technique is well suited for instructors looking to increase student engagement and interactivity in the classroom. Students have reflected that the completed challenge problems serve as reference material for follow on courses.