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Defined as a single set of principles that applies to the entire range of problem-solving activities that one undertakes with others.

"Increasingly in school settings, however, responsibility for problem solving is shared with others" (Friend & Cook, 2013, p. 104).

Requires all the skills of problem solving alone as well as additional skills for working in a group.

Key component of successful interactions.

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Is this a problem we should solve?

"The belief that any ill-defined problem, proactive or reactive, must be solved once it is recognized undoubtedly arises out of the professional socialization factors discussed in Chapter 1" (Friend & Cook, 2013, p. 108).

Questions to consider:
1. Are the persons who have responsibility and resources for addressing the problem committed to resolving it?
2. What might happen if nothing was done to resolve the problem?
3. Are adequate time and resources available to resolve the problem?
4. Does the problem merit the effort and resources required to make significant change?
(Friend & Cook, 2013, p. 109)

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"Already common in business and other disciplines, virtual group problem solving is also emerging in education" (Friend & Cook, 2013, p. 110).

Platforms could include GROU.PS or Yammer

Allows individuals to collaborate in a virtual setting to accomplish a common goal.

Challenges can include lack of familiarity with others', low levels of trust, fewer communication channels, and need for coordination (Friend & Cook, 2013, p. 110).

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This first step in group problem solving is to identify the problem.

Most critical step and often difficult to accomplish.

"Using concrete and specific language, state the problem, preferably as a question" (Friend & Cook, 2013, p. 113).

The rest of the problem solving process can only be successful if the problem is well defined.

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A strategy for generating potential solutions, step 2 in the problem solving process.

"In brain writing, participants individually write three or four potential solutions on a blank sheet of paper" (Friend & Cook, 2013, p. 118).

Individuals place their list in a pile and select someone else's.  The ideas on the list are stimuli to generate new ideas.

The complete set of ideas is presented to the group for discussion.