Intro: Problem solving is needed in many disciplines, to include economics, government, and business. The six-step problem solving process is a formal way to make decisions and can be used in many different ways. The most common use of this process is to purchase expensive items like a house or car. Better yet, use this easy process to help you decide what to do after high school or what college to go to.
The #1 thing you learn in school is to think. Thinking, applies to everything we do, every day. Maybe you think about and analyze the pros/cons of a decision. Using the six step problem solving process helps you think better, have a methodology, and may even save you some money.
The process has six steps:
1) ID Problem
2) Analyze Problem (criteria)
3) Generate solutions
4) Select solution (do matrix)
5) Implement solution
6) Evaluate solution
What is unique about this process is that it uses of all five types of thinking: critical, analytical, creative, logical, and reflective.
Critical Thinking: What am I trying to do
Analytical Thinking: What parts make this problem
Creative Thinking: How can I do this differently
Logical Thinking: Can orderly reasoning help?
Reflective Thinking: What does this all mean?
Assignment: Copy the problem we do together in class in a Word document. Save this document as "Problem Solving." See example below. This assignment is 10pts.
Additional instructions: You must do the the following:
1) Use Word to document this six step problem solving process. Follow the format given, see file below. Underline each step name.
2) You must have three criteria and three solutions and insert a 5x4 table into your Word document.
3) You must do a complex matrix and weigh your criteria. You need two values in each section of your matrix. Label matrix lower is better.
4) After completing the process, annotate the type of thinking you did.
5) Save this completed assignment to your desktop and digital portfolio.
Experience Learning (20pts): After doing the assignment above, solve your own problem using this six step process. Save this document as "Problem Solving (EL)." Choose from the following problems to solve:
1) Buy a puppy dog
2) Pick a cell phone plan
3) Decide where to go out to dinner
Additional instructions: You must do the the following:
1) Use Word to document this six step problem solving process. Follow the format given, see file below. Underline each step name.
2) You must have three criteria and three solutions and insert a 5x4 table into your Word document.
3) You must do a complex matrix and weigh your criteria. You need two values in each section of your matrix. Label matrix lower is better.
4) After completing the process, annotate the type of thinking you did.
5) Save this completed assignment to your desktop and digital portfolio.