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Problem Solving Seminar Course Expectations Confirmation
Problem Solving Seminar Teachers: Ms. Donna Matthews and Dr. Akilah Smith
Course Goals and Objectives
Problem Solving Seminar (PSS) presents students with open-ended challenges that will require creative, problem-solving, and communication skills. PSS embraces design thinking mindsets that encourage innovation and collaboration with peers, as well as the opportunity to develop students’ own personal ideas. Content may vary, but students will be offered independent choice over the processes and products of their learning. Students will:
Collaborate to achieve a common goal.
Design and build working models to solve a proposed problem or complete a task.
Describe the properties of design thinking.
Learn and implement the Engineering Design Process while creating hands-on models.
Offerings may include: Introduction to Design Thinking, Architectural Design, Flight, Bridge Busters, Medical Meanderings, Medieval Artillery, and more. Hands-on problem solving choices will to start out rather easy, and then develop in complexity over the course of the semester. Having student choice is also important. Presenting a collection of choices at each tiered level of complexity allows students to make informed, thought-provoking decisions for success.
Students will be assessed on the development of their solution concepts, sketches, explanations, and prototype development as well as the quality of feedback they give and receive. The instructor will facilitate small group conferences, in which students will get suggestions for their own projects and offer constructive criticism of others. Several methods of ongoing assessment will be implemented. While working independently or in small groups, notes will be taken on student ability to work effectively and with focus. Students will document their own learning in the creation of class projects and assignments.
Student Outcomes & Assessment
The school policies as stated in the LMS Student Handbook will be followed for tardiness, absences, and behavior. Students are expected to come to class ready to learn and prepared for class; this includes submitting all work on time.
In Problem Solving Seminar, the process is as important as the final product, so many projects will have multiple “checkpoints” that students will be expected to meet for a given project. Students are encouraged to revise and edit their work as they complete projects to achieve the best possible outcomes on final project grades. We are flexible and understand that learning is an ongoing process, and we want our assessment to truly reflect what a student has produced.
As appropriate, individual unit and assignment rubrics are developed for the specific process and product skills required. These scoring guides are provided to students at the beginning of the unit or lesson, and teachers and students will collaborate on the assessment of student work. Students are required to work to their full ability and to challenge themselves to strive for a high level of success.
Academic Grading Scale
Problem Solving Seminar students' grades are weighted into the following categories:
50% Formative
50% Summative
Late Work
Students are expected to complete all assigned work by the due date, but will have an opportunity to submit work within a reasonable time after the due date and earn at least 70% of the score they would have earned if it had been submitted on time. Students should submit work within two weeks of the due date before the assignment is assigned a grade of zero. Some work requires timely submission for learning to occur and is subject to exception. Work submitted late will result in a reduction in citizenship grades.
Redoing Work
Given the nature of Problem Solving Seminar to emphasize the process of learning something new as well as the physical product, students may have the opportunity to redo formative and summative work subject to instructor discretion and with instructor approval first. The likelihood of a student being allowed to redo or make up a missing or unsatisfactory project will depend on student performance; if a student did not attempt or turn in work and then wants to redo it much later in the quarter, that student's request may not be approved.
Citizenship Letter Grades
Citizenship grades will be posted every two weeks, keeping parents and students up-to-date on progress and current standing. Citizenship grades are included to alert students, parents, counselors, and administration of attitude and behavior according to the scale in the student handbook.
Materials
Each student should come prepared with assigned work, binder, folder, paper, chromebook, headphones, and writing implements. Students have access to a variety of hands-on materials as well as printed and on-line materials. Students will be expected to use a multitude of other resources and demonstrate responsibility and respect at all times.
Technology
In accordance with the Ladue School District Technology Usage Policy (EHB), students are expected at all times to express themselves using technology and social media in a way that demonstrates good character. Technology is utilized significantly in Problem Solving Seminar, and at times students will be allowed to use personal devices as part of class. Failure to follow the policy could result in student loss of technology privileges. It will be the student’s responsibility to make up work outside of class.
We Value Our Students & Parents!
We look forward to a fun and rewarding year. We truly enjoy what we do. Thanks for all your support! Please feel free to call or e-mail with comments, compliments, or concerns. Please use email to contact us. We will do our best to get back to you promptly!
Donna Matthews
Stephanie Wilson
Akilah Smith