1. OECD International assessment
of problem solving skills
Educating for Innovative Societies
26 April 2012
Michael Davidson
OECD Directorate for Education

2. The story so far….
• PISA 2003
– Problem solving (paper based)
• PIAAC
– Problem solving in technology‐rich environments
(computer based)
• PISA 2012
– Dynamic problem solving (computer based)
• PISA 2015
– Collaborative problem solving (computer based)

3. PISA 2003 problem solving
• Problem solving is an individual’s ability to use
cognitive processes to confront and resolve real,
cross-disciplinary situations where the solution
path is not immediately obvious and where the
literacy domains or curricular areas that might
be applicable are not within a single domain of
mathematics, science or reading.

4. PISA 2003 problem solving

5. The PISA 2012 definition of problem
solving competency
• problem solving competency is an individual’s
capacity to engage in cognitive processing to
understand and resolve problem situations
where a method of solution is not immediately
obvious. It includes the willingness to engage
with such situations in order to achieve one’s
potential as a constructive and reflective
citizen.

7. PISA 2015 Collaborative problem
solving- challenges
• Group or individual?
• Integration of problem solving skills with student
dispositions towards social interaction?
• Practicalities
– Sampling
– Computer capabilities
– Scoring
• Human-computer approach valid?
– Interactive rather than collaborative?

8. The PISA 2015 definition of
collaborative problem solving (draft)
• Collaborative problem solving competency is
the capacity of an individual to effectively
engage in a process whereby two or more
agents attempt to solve a problem by sharing
the understanding and effort required to come
to a solution.

9. PISA 2015 CPS (draft)
Establishing
understanding
Taking
action
Establishing
organisation
Exploring and Understanding
Representing and Formulating
Planning and Executing
Monitoring and Reflecting

10. Thank you.
www.pisa.oecd.org
Sample computer based items: http://erasq.acer.edu.au/