Wholistic Problem Solving For Educators

 Transforming Learning Through Metacognitive Problem-Solving
Wholistic Problem Solving (WPS) is a proven metacognitive approach that teaches students how to become self-directed learners. Rather than simply teaching content, WPS teaches students how to learn—empowering them to understand their own thinking, regulate their behavior, and solve the problems that stand in their way.
How It Works
At its core, WPS is built on the prediction-error correction cycle—the same process scientists use to make discoveries. Students learn to:

• Identify problems in their learning process
• Make predictions about solutions
• Test their hypotheses through action
• Evaluate results and refine their approach

This cyclical process develops genuine self-authorship (Kegan, 1982, 1996), where students take conscious responsibility for their own development.

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A Unique Three-Part Approach
What makes WPS especially powerful is its integration of three key elements:

1. Direct Metacognitive Instruction - Students learn about the cognitive tools their brains use to solve problems (sensing, attention, memory, analogy, analysis, metaphor, judgment, creation, and sense-making)
2. Practical Application - Through structured goal-setting and self-evaluation, students apply these tools to their actual academic and personal challenges
3. Peer Mentorship - Students deepen their understanding by teaching the process to others, developing leadership skills while reinforcing their own self-regulatory abilities

Creating a Common Language
WPS establishes Learning Conversations (Adelizzi & Goss, 1995; Fox, 2010; Harri-Augstein & Thomas, 1991; Hulbig, 2021; Pennini, 2006)—a shared vocabulary that enables meaningful dialogue between students, teachers, and parents about learning itself. Rather than reducing struggles to medical labels, students learn to articulate their learning strengths and needs with precision and agency.
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Current Development: Online Course System
I'm currently developing a comprehensive online course sequence that makes WPS accessible to both students and educators:

• Introductory Course (1 hour): An interactive, experiential introduction where learners discover the WPS framework through direct experience rather than explanation
• Student Track: Individualized diagnostic and skill-building sessions
• Educator Track: Basic and advanced certification programs for teachers seeking to move beyond content delivery to process facilitation

The courses use a hybrid approach—combining visual design platforms with interactive elements—to create an engaging learning experience that models the metacognitive principles it teaches.

Who Benefits
WPS serves a dual, interconnected audience:

• Students (middle school through college), particularly those who are neurologically diverse or face learning barriers
• Educators seeking systemic approaches to teaching self-regulation and metacognitive skills

​The Impact
Over 30 years of development and implementation, WPS has demonstrated that teaching students about their learning process transforms their capacity to learn. Students develop:

+ Executive function and self-regulation skills
+ The ability to set and achieve meaningful goals
+ Leadership capabilities through mentoring
+ Self-advocacy skills grounded in genuine self-understanding

​For educators, WPS expands their capacity to support struggling learners while building a school-wide culture of metacognitive awareness and mutual support.