Send a Problem 

Groupings of Students: Pairs

Students will line up in order of their birthdays.  Students will then break the line in half taking the front of the line to the end of the line.  If a student is left over the teacher will be the students partner or pair with another group of their choice.  This will put the students in groups of 2.

Materials Needed

      Students will be given an index card to write their questions and answers on.

      Students will need a pen or pencil to write with.

      Students will also be given a folder to put their answers in.

Directions      

Send-A-Problem can be used as a way to get groups to discuss and review material, or potential solutions to problems related to content information.
 

• Each member of a group generates a problem and writes it down on a card. Each member of the group then asks the question to other members. 
• If the question can be answered and all members of the group agree on the answer, then that answer is written on the back of the card. If there is no consensus on the answer, the question is revised so that an answer can be agreed upon. 
• The group puts a Q on the side of the card with the question on it, and an A on the side of the card with an answer on it. 
• Each group sends its question cards to another group.
• Each group member takes ones question from the stack of questions and reads one question at a time to the group. After reading the first question, the group discusses it. 
• If the group agrees on the answer, they turn the card over to see if they agree with the first group's answer. 
• If there again is consensus, they proceed to the next question. 
• If they do not agree with the first group's answer, the second group write their answer on the back of the card as an alternative answer. 
• The second group reviews and answers each question in the stack of cards, repeating the procedure outlined above. 
• The question cards can be sent to a third, fourth, or fifth group, if desired. 
• Stacks of cards are then sent back to the originating group. The sending group can then discuss and clarify any question

Variation: A variation on the send a problem is to use the process to get groups to discuss a real problem for which there may be no one set answer.

• Groups decide on one problem they will consider. It is best if each group considers a different problem.
• The same process is used, with the first group brainstorming solutions to a single problem. The problem is written on a piece of paper and attached to the outside of a folder. The solutions are listed and enclosed inside the folder.
• The folder is then passed to the next group. Each group brainstorms for 3-5 minutes on the problems they receive without reading the previous group's work and then place their solutions inside the folder.
• The process may continue to one or more groups. The last group reviews all the solutions posed by all of the previous groups and develops a prioritized list of possible solutions. This list is then presented to the group.

Resource

Barbara J. Millis, PhD, Associate Director for Faculty Development, United States Air Force Academy, Facilitator. (May 1996). The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Instructional Excellence Retreat. Retrieved on July 21, 2011 from http://www.utc.edu/Administration/WalkerTeachingResourceCenter/FacultyDevelopment/CooperativeLearning/index.html