Problem Solving Defining the problem and Choosing Strategies

Problem Solving Defining the problem and Choosing Strategies for Seeking Information

Outline Overview: 2 procedures & a Sample Identification & Definition – A. B. l l l Meaning and People Involved: What does “it” mean? Whose problem is it? Where does it happen? Assumption (1): Why is it a problem? Assumption (2): Why does the problem need to be solved? What can be accomplished? B. Exploration -¡ Scope and Related Areas: Is the problem too big for you to solve? How can the problem be divided into different aspects? Information Seeking Strategies C. Action: Steps Taken in problem solving ¡

Overview: Problem Solving It takes multiple skills (definition, explanation, research, analysis, making proposals, observation of and reflection). ¡ It requires an awareness of tools/methods & problem-solving procedure. ¡ l l l Some videos first: procedure 1, tools 2 Problem Solving Ideas That Work. IDEAL Problem Solving Method

Sample (1): 7 Steps Too many customer calls 1) define, 2) collect data, 3) cause analysis, 4) solution planning and implementation 5) evaluation 6) Standardization 7) evaluate the process ¡

IDEAL ¡ (see more procedure samples at the end) I D E A L IDENTIFY DEFINE (& narrow down) EXPLORE/ ORGANIZE ACTION/ ANTICIPATI ON LOOK/ REFLECT What, where, when, how, why & for whom Your premise? Is it really a problem? For whom is it problematic? What does it involve? Which area of the problem can you deal with? Areas and aspects of the problem, possible causes (root, direct and collateral), Possible solutions Solutions offered & possible difficulties & consequences Evaluation or standardization, What else to do & what attitude to take for similar problems or remaining problems

Sample (2) –”It’s all fast fashion’s fault” A. Identification ¡ Problem: Meaning and People Involved: l Fast Fashion leads to rapid consumption, environmental pollution and labor exploitation. l Whose – Not only those consumers interested in catching the trend, but also laborers of clothing manufacturing companies and residents in those areas. l Assumption: It’s natural to use clothing to express ourselves; also, it’s natural to try to economize by buying more with less money. ¡ Exploration and Explanation of the Problems ¡ What can be accomplished? We cannot solve the environmental problems, but we as consumers can avoid joining the fast consumption trend. Note: 快時尚遭批「不環保」 UNIQLO、 H&M修正路線 (Sept. 2016)

Sample –”It’s all fast fashion’s fault” (2) Exploration (2): Scope and Related Areas: l l l Production with sustainable fiber shopping strategies – ¡ Say no to those reported to have environmental problems. ¡ slow fashion: shop less, and say no to whatever is ‘said’ to be fashionable. ¡ Shop with a need and with an awareness of what’s in your wardrobe. collection strategies – clear organization, etc. disposal strategies Ref. (1) (2)

Sample –”It’s all fashion’s fault” Information Seeking Strategies I. III. Ø Ø Internet – public opinions and BBS; Academic papers, if available Data collection: Ask around for consumer habits and preferences no survey needed for this small project

Identification and Definition • • What does it mean? Is it really a problem? Whose problem is it? Can it be solved, or partially solved?

What does it mean? How to overcome the bottleneck of language learning ¡ Identify and solve language learning problems of different kinds & levels ¡ l l l “Meaningful” exposure to the language Emotional blocks to language learning (e. g. speaking) Mismatch between learning style and learning situation Lack of encouragement and accountability Lack of motivation or plan

What does it mean? ¡ How to Talk About My Love Relationship With My Parents? Context definition: kinds of parents and kinds of love; 2. Purpose of Talk – communication, confession, with a specific goal (e. g. marriage) 3. Desired Results? For understanding, agreement or more active support. -- If parents’ understanding is not possible, talking with your siblings. -- If even that is not possible, putting it off may be a temporary measure. 1.

What does it mean? Depression: kinds 1, 2, 憂鬱 (Depression; 輕鬱症; 重鬱症 )，躁症 (Mania; Manic Depression), 季節性憂 鬱症 (SAD) ¡ Major Depression ; 2 (symptoms: Mood; Interests; Eating and weight; Sleep; Motor activity; Fatigue; Self-worth, Concentration, Death. ) ¡ Anxiety – Panic, Phobic, Obsessive Compulsive, Inactivity, ¡

Whose problem is it? ¡ How to gain weight l l l ¡ Those under weight? (Proper Weight And BMI Chart) Those who want to be slim? With anorexia? Actors and actresses? How to deal with exercise-addiction l l How much is too much? (Different from ‘positive addiction’ source) How about those who play basketball for a whole afternoon?

Whose problem is it? ¡ Children’s Internet Addiction: l l ¡ 10 Reasons Why Handheld Devices Should Be Banned for Children Under the Age of 12 Criticism Suggestions: Aren’t there ways to teach and understand computers interactively? ¡ Does the problem lie in how parents use it? ¡

Whose problem is it? ¡ Selina張承中宣告離婚| ETtoday 東森新 聞雲 l l ¡ 自媒體(We Media) Phenomenon Why do we presume that we can know the reasons? Views of love: l l Ref. This is what enduring love looks like Suggestions: don’t presume that we know everything about human relations. Try to start with concrete examples and build up your suggestions from them.

Where does it happen? ¡ second-hand smoking On campus and outside of classrooms? Aren’t no-smoking signs put up in many places? Solutions: a ventilated smoking room, or more smoking areas? Or l In a taxi? We can ask taxi-drivers to stop smoking, but not to never smoke. l In some pubs? l

Assumption (1): Why is it a problem? ¡ Keeping life-long friendship with a good old friend who is hard to see. l l Friendship is to be nourished by both involved. Is it possible to have life-long friendship? Or life-long memory of some friendship?

Assumption (2): Why does the problem need to be solved? Can the problems be solved by you? ¡ Stray dogs on campus l ¡ FJ --與流浪狗共舞: 我們的校犬」; 流浪到輔 大　狗兒的新家; Doggy Club; English dept’s giving lower grades. l l Is it true? In all the classes? Why? Grading scale A range = 80 and above; grade inflation elsewhere Not harmful to one’s learning Does it create problems when applying for school or scholarship?

Exploration and Organization

Scope and Structure: ¡ How to get along with roommates (general reference) – Narrow down!!! Do you have concrete examples? l l ¡ after some conflicts; through efficient communication to overcome schedule conflicts. Assumption: l l l understand your roommates, the types of problems (Does your schedule really bother your roommates? The reasons for the conflicts) Understand your relationship without assuming too much. Are you nodding acquaintances, close friends or strangers to each other?

Scope and Structure: ¡ how to get along with roommates – l l Mental preparation; Conflict Resolution Skills e. g. 1

Scope and Structure: ¡ How to deal with a friend who is used to see the dark-side of the world? l Definition/Assumption – What is ‘dark-side’ or pessimism? How is it different from being realistic or cynical? ¡ your relationship with this person and the degree of his pessimism; ¡ Can we really change a person? ¡ ¡ Scope – intimate friend or the other half, who can change your life

Is the problem too big for you to solve? ¡ Craze for Learning English – best and economical ways of learning English l l Age level—college students? Or high school students? Motivation & Self-Learning abilities Family background Existing learning strategies

How can the problem be divided into different aspects? ¡ ¡ ¡ How to deal with one’s poor vocabulary? Counter example: 陳俊生 71快速記憶學校 Purpose—active or passive vocab. Learning habits; Definition: knowing a word is about knowing: l ¡ ¡ the form, its grammatical use, its collocations, function and meaning. Strategies External factors (your age, etc. )

How can the problem be divided into different aspects? Anxiety or depression – Kind ¡ l l l External reasons Psychological reasons Physical reasons

Information Seeking Strategies II. Internet – general information (e. g. on psychology), public opinions and BBS; Library Research/Literature review: poor III. Raw Data collection: I. ¡ ¡ ¡ vocabulary Asking around Case study – Depression; overcome the anxiety in the daily life; How to gain weight; how to get along with roommates; keep life-long friendship; the bottleneck of language learning; pessimistic friends; exercise-addiction Policy reading -- How to deal with the problem of stray dogs on campus; secondhand smoking

Action & Learning

Steps Taken in problem solving (1) ¡ Problem Solving l l Understanding the problem. (Recognizing what is asked for. ) Devising a plan. (Responding to what is asked for. ) Carrying out the plan. (Developing the result of the response. ) Looking back.

Decide who your audience is ¡ ref. a_delightful_way_to_teach_kids_about_comput ers l What are her strategies in appealing to children and parents alike?

Summary: Steps Taken in problem solving (1) ¡ The Big Six in information management -l l l 1. Task Definition 2. Information Seeking Strategies 3. Location and Access information 4. Use of Information 5. Synthesize and present the information to Offer Solutions 6. Evaluate Process and Product (source) define, l collect data, cause analysis, solution planning and implementation 5) evaluation 6) Standardization 7) evaluate the process 1) 2) 3) 4) STAR Only for interview (see below) IDEAL

Summary: Steps Taken in problem solving (2) ¡ ¡ ¡ ¡ ¡ 8 steps (5: 52) PDCA – Plan, Do, Check, Act 1. Clarifying the problem 2. Breaking down the problem 3. Set the target to achieve 4. Analyze root cause 5. Develop countermeasures 6. See counter measures through 7. Evaluate both process and results 8. Standardize the success, learn from failures.