Creativity & Problem Solving

“If I were given an hour to save the world, I’d spend 59 minutes defining the problem and one minute solving it.” -Albert Einstein

Pre-Assessment

Complete this survey before beginning the course.

Background and Purpose of this course

The learner will demonstrate steps necessary for creative problem solving.

Identify the problem
Gather Data
Generate Ideas
Weigh Options & Pick Best Solution
Self-Assess and Peer-Critique to Improve Student “Solutions”

UNDERSTANDING THE STANDARD

The intent of this standard is that learners will expand their repertoire of resources and knowledge in order to develop creativity and problem solving in the classroom.

ESSENTIAL UNDERSTANDINGS

All learners should understand basic steps to help with creative problem solving and that not every problem has a straightforward solution. Sometimes it takes insight, creativity and sheer determination to get the solution necessary to solve a difficult problem.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND PROCESSES

To be successful with this standard, learners are expected to

1. Identify the problem or goal and clearly define the parameters.

2. Review any steps already taken to deal with the issue and what the results were.

3. Simplify with challenging questions to find solutions and then generate creative ideas for solving them.

4. Realistically evaluate these ideas.

5. Make an action plan and pursue it. Base the plan, or plans, on the ideas that work for the goal.

Course Content

Task 1 - Identify the Problem

Click on the image to access a blog to read about letting students get stuck or unstuck with problems.

Creativity/Problem Solving - Task 1

On the document to the right, add your name and one way the blog related to your students or one way you would incorporate the ideas from the blog into your classroom. You can add more than one thing if you wish!

Task 2 - Gather Data

Before you can solve a problem, you need to know what has already been done to try and solve it. Click on this form here and say how you have your students "gather data" when problem solving.

Gather Data Form

Review the results here!

Task 3 - Generate Ideas

Here is when creativity comes into play! Click on the picture and review the website. Reflect on how you let students be creative in your class.

Task 4 - Weigh options and pick the best solution

For this task, consider how you let students make their own choices in your class. What parameters do you set? Do you give your students the ability to make their own decisions? Why do you think this is a valuable step in the process of problem solving? Respond on this document.

Creativity/Problem Solving - Weighing Options

Creativity/Problem Solving - Self-Assessment

Task 5 - Self Assess and peer critique to improve student "solutions"

How do you have students self assess? Put your answer in the sheet to the left. If you do currently have students self assess, please link your work. If you don't, say how you will start.