Pitlochry High School
Pitlochry High School is in a rural area of Perth and Kinross. The school has around 180 pupils from S1 to S4, after which most pupils transfer to Breadalbane Academy in Aberfeldy.
Principal teacher of maths Ruth Donaldson discusses the problem solving programme
Problem solving was originally developed at Pitlochry High School four or five years ago. Staff organised resources into topic units, for example ‘Codes’ and ‘Trial and error’, but pupils were not particularly enjoying problem solving.
The programme was revised this year with the guiding principle that problem solving should be fun. Problems are now presented on coloured laminated sheets and some are developed through a game.
Problem solving is now timetabled for the last maths period of the week. Previously it had been taught in blocks of five lessons over a week. At the end of the class, during which a strategy will either be taught directly or pupils will work though problems, there is a ‘carrot’: pupils can try a problem on the computer or have a go at one of the puzzle games. Ruth points out that pupils see these as a game but in reality they demand problem solving skills.
This change in approach to problem solving has so far been very positive and the pupils have enjoyed the lessons. Ruth is hoping that pupils will be happier to tackle maths challenges in the future rather than ‘switching off’ as they have done in the past.
| Ruth Donaldson describes a newly revised problem solving programme | |
|---|---|
| Description | Ruth Donaldson talks about the new approach to problem solving which emphasises enjoyment |
| Duration | 2 minutes 45 seconds |
| Windows version |  Windows Media video: Ruth Donaldson describes a newly revised problem solving programme |
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| Transcript | Ruth Donaldson describes a newly revised problem solving programme |