STEP 1 Identify Problem - Enhancing Education - Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon University

Skip navigation and jump directly to page content

| ENHANCING EDUCATION | > Solve a Teaching Problem > Step 1: Identify Problem

Select the problem that best matches your situation:

Attitudes & Motivation

Prerequisite Knowledge & Preparedness

Students’ background knowledge & skills vary widely.
Students don't demonstrate critical thinking.
Students lack interest or motivation.
Students don't know how to do research.
Group projects aren’t working.
Students can't apply what they’ve learned.
Students can't write.
Students don’t keep up with reading.

Critical Thinking & Applying Knowledge

Students’ background knowledge & skills vary widely.
Students don't demonstrate critical thinking.
Students don't know how to do research.
Students can't apply what they’ve learned.
Students can't write.

Group Skills & Dynamics

Group projects aren’t working.

Classroom Behavior & Etiquette

One student monopolizes class.
Students come late to class.
Students behave rudely in class.
Group projects aren’t working.
A student’s behavior makes others uncomfortable.
Students cheat on assignments and exams.
Students respond to course content and classroom dynamics in emotional and unproductive ways.

Grading & Assessment

Students complain the exams are too hard.
Students complain about grades.
International students feel penalized for their poor language skills.
Students performed poorly on an exam.
Students cheat on assignments and exams.

This site supplements our 1-on-1 teaching consultations.
CONTACT US to talk with an Eberly colleague in person!

learning principles

Students’ prior knowledge can help or hinder learning. MORE>
How students organize knowledge influences how they learn and apply what they know. MORE>
Students’ motivation determines, directs, and sustains what they do to learn. MORE>
To develop mastery, students must acquire component skills, practice integrating them, and know when to apply what they have learned. MORE>
Goal-directed practice coupled with targeted feedback enhances the quality of students’ learning. MORE>
Students’ current level of development interacts with the social, emotional, and intellectual climate of the course to impact learning. MORE>
To become self-directed learners, students must learn to monitor and adjust their approaches to learning. MORE>