Puzzles (poster session): a tool for teaching knowledge based systems

Students have indicated that the waditional method of lecturing was ineffectual, as they lost interest, slxuggled to pay attention and attendance rates declined. The traditional method of teaching makes a presumption that the student has little to contn'bute to the learning process. Instructions become directives as information is delivered in a continual stream of facts and figures; ¢ommaniccation is tmidh'ectionaJ with limited interactive learning. This poster presentation is a report of a prel/m/nary study on how puzzles (problem solving and lateral thinlcin~ problems) can be used as interactive learnin~ agents for subjects requiring problem solving. Puzzles were viewed as a natural extension of knowledge based systems and were inlroduced into the lecture format. The puzzles were seen as having two initial benefits. The first benefit is an increase in the participation and interaction of the students. Three to four puzzles are employed at various intervals throughout the lecture. The I ~ l e s are of three to five minmes in duration. According to Bligh [1] the imroduction of a period of change during the lecture (a period where either a short break or a change in the teaching method occurs) can have a positive affect on the level of performance of the students The second benefit is as a tool to create an environment of problem awareness. The puzzles used are a natural extension of the learning process in knowledge based systems rather than an intrusion into it. The p-~les require admini~Uation of a level of problem solving ability, lateral-th/nlcin~ ~'lcillg and ~ p ~ l e s complexity is consistent with the aimg and objectives of the subject. This poster presentation reviews the preliminary survey, and cm'r~t findings, together with a ~rr~le of puzzles, com~e material used during the lecture series. Keyworde : Interactive learning; puzzles, learning, knowledge based systems. Reference: [1] Bfigh, D A (2000) What's the use of Lectures? Jossey-Bass Publishers, San Fra~isco, CA, USA