heuristic (hyʊ-rĭs'tĭk)

“Relating to or using a problem-solving technique in which the most appropriate solution of several found by alternative methods is selected at successive stages of a program for use in the next step of the program.”

“Of or constituting an educational method in which learning takes place through discoveries that result from investigations made by the student.”

“A set of activities that are designed to throw up fresh ideas, new ways of looking at things, or alternative explanations of observed phenomena...”