Technological Technological Problem SolvingProblem Solving

Unit FiveUnit FiveTechnological Problem SolvingTechnological Problem Solving

Problem Solving vs. DesignProblem Solving vs. DesignProblem solving ModelProblem solving Model

Design BriefsDesign BriefsCreative BrainstormingCreative Brainstorming

This material is based upon work supported by the national science foundation under Grant No. 0402616. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Lowphat skateboards

Invention and InnovationTech 665Tom WeberSpring 2006

What is Technological Problem What is Technological Problem Solving?Solving?

►Describes a problem as a need which Describes a problem as a need which must be met.must be met.

►Desires and wants.Desires and wants.►Opportunities to be taken advantage Opportunities to be taken advantage

of.of.►New technology gets created in New technology gets created in

response to a problem that needs to response to a problem that needs to be solved.be solved.

LowPhat Skateboards:LowPhat Skateboards: A Problem Solving Story A Problem Solving Story

► Back in the late 70s, Venice Beach was the place to show off your Back in the late 70s, Venice Beach was the place to show off your skateboard. There wasn’t much in the way of skateboards back in those days skateboard. There wasn’t much in the way of skateboards back in those days so kids were improvising and making their own. I used to see boards made out so kids were improvising and making their own. I used to see boards made out of every imaginable material… fiberglass, wood, Plexiglas, aluminum. Some of every imaginable material… fiberglass, wood, Plexiglas, aluminum. Some boards were decorated but most of them were just functional. I also had my boards were decorated but most of them were just functional. I also had my own board that I made in woodshop class. I needed a board that would handle own board that I made in woodshop class. I needed a board that would handle like one with flex, but actually was more stable with a lower center of gravity. like one with flex, but actually was more stable with a lower center of gravity. It was made of maple, using a four-layer lamination technique. It was made of maple, using a four-layer lamination technique.

► I moved to Hawaii, then I noticed that surfboards were getting longer, and I I moved to Hawaii, then I noticed that surfboards were getting longer, and I remembered my old skateboard that had been lost for a long time. I saw that remembered my old skateboard that had been lost for a long time. I saw that someone was making longer skateboards, and thought “those would look cool someone was making longer skateboards, and thought “those would look cool if they looked like custom surfboards” and the idea was born! So, in the late if they looked like custom surfboards” and the idea was born! So, in the late 80s, I started making my first boards, patterning them after the graphic 80s, I started making my first boards, patterning them after the graphic designs on custom surfboards. designs on custom surfboards.

I was out with a friend one day riding my boards trying to come up with a name I was out with a friend one day riding my boards trying to come up with a name for my fledgling business. I was thinking “this ride is low and wide....low and for my fledgling business. I was thinking “this ride is low and wide....low and wide...low and....” and then my friend said, “man, this ride is phat”. And it wide...low and....” and then my friend said, “man, this ride is phat”. And it just clicked.just clicked.

Problem solving and designProblem solving and designWhat’s the difference?What’s the difference?

►Designing is proactive problem solving.Designing is proactive problem solving.►Designing can be the refinement of the Designing can be the refinement of the

original concept.original concept.►Design includes invention and Design includes invention and

innovation.innovation.►Troubleshooting is reactive Troubleshooting is reactive

problem solving.problem solving.

Apple computer

The problem solving modelThe problem solving model1. Identify the problem1. Identify the problem2. Define the problem (refine)2. Define the problem (refine)3. Gather information3. Gather information4. Develop alternative solutions4. Develop alternative solutions5. Select and refine the best solution5. Select and refine the best solution6. Express the design. (Sketch or Drawing)6. Express the design. (Sketch or Drawing)7. Build a model or prototype of the 7. Build a model or prototype of the

solutionsolution8. Evaluate, revise and refine solution8. Evaluate, revise and refine solution9. Communicate the solution9. Communicate the solution

PROBLEM SOLVING PROBLEM SOLVING APPLICATIONSAPPLICATIONS

► Gibbs Technologies Ltd, the world’s only High Gibbs Technologies Ltd, the world’s only High Speed Amphibian (HSA) technology specialist, Speed Amphibian (HSA) technology specialist, today unveiled a prototype of the first commercially today unveiled a prototype of the first commercially viable high-speed amphibian Quadbike/All Terrain viable high-speed amphibian Quadbike/All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) - Vehicle (ATV) - QuadskiQuadski..Quadski is the third demonstration of Gibbs’ HSA Quadski is the third demonstration of Gibbs’ HSA technology following the successes of the Aquada technology following the successes of the Aquada and the Humdinga. It is capable of travelling up to and the Humdinga. It is capable of travelling up to 50 mph (72 kph) on land and water and makes the 50 mph (72 kph) on land and water and makes the

transition at the flick of a switch.transition at the flick of a switch.

http://www.aquada.co.uk/

Design Briefs- How do they help Design Briefs- How do they help with the problem solving with the problem solving

process?process?

►They Identify a realistic problemThey Identify a realistic problem►They make sure the design has a They make sure the design has a

purposepurpose►They include specific context and not They include specific context and not

vague ideasvague ideas►Must be open-ended with a variety of Must be open-ended with a variety of

correct solutionscorrect solutions►Expected results should be clearly Expected results should be clearly

identifiedidentified

Sample Design BriefSample Design Brief

► Maglev Design BriefMaglev Design Brief►http://http://

melroseschools.com/mms/tech_ed/briemelroseschools.com/mms/tech_ed/briefs/design_brief_maglev.htmfs/design_brief_maglev.htm

Marshmallow Problem Marshmallow Problem www.howtoons.comwww.howtoons.com

Creative BrainstormingCreative Brainstorming

Brainstorming is a method for Brainstorming is a method for developing creative solutions.developing creative solutions.

It works by focusing on the problem and It works by focusing on the problem and then coming up with as many solutions then coming up with as many solutions as possible.as possible.

Lego Computer

Roles for BrainstormingRoles for Brainstorming

►Leader – Teacher or studentLeader – Teacher or student►Recorder – This person makes sure Recorder – This person makes sure

that all ideas are recorded accurately that all ideas are recorded accurately and visibly on a flip chart.and visibly on a flip chart.

►Team Member – They are the source of Team Member – They are the source of ideas.ideas.

► Driving Technology Education StandardsDriving Technology Education StandardsThe standard is followed by the specific grade-level appropriate benchmark.The standard is followed by the specific grade-level appropriate benchmark.

• Standard 2:• Standard 2: Students will develop an understanding of the core concepts of Students will develop an understanding of the core concepts of technology.technology.o [2.R] Requirements are the parameters placed on the development of a product or o [2.R] Requirements are the parameters placed on the development of a product or system.system.o [2.T] Different technologies involve different sets of processes.o [2.T] Different technologies involve different sets of processes.

• Standard 8:• Standard 8: Students will develop an understanding of the attributes of design. Students will develop an understanding of the attributes of design.o [8.E] Design is a creative planning process that leads to useful products and systems.o [8.E] Design is a creative planning process that leads to useful products and systems.o [8.F] There is no perfect design.o [8.F] There is no perfect design.o [8.G] Requirements for a design are made up of criteria and constraints.o [8.G] Requirements for a design are made up of criteria and constraints.

• Standard 9:• Standard 9: Students will develop an understanding of engineering design. Students will develop an understanding of engineering design.o [9.F]Design involves a set of steps, which can be performed in different sequences and o [9.F]Design involves a set of steps, which can be performed in different sequences and repeated as needed.repeated as needed.o [9.G]Brainstorming is a group problem-solving design process in which each person in o [9.G]Brainstorming is a group problem-solving design process in which each person in the group presents his or her ideas in an open forum.the group presents his or her ideas in an open forum.o [9.H]Modeling, testing, evaluating, and modifying are used to transform ideas into o [9.H]Modeling, testing, evaluating, and modifying are used to transform ideas into practical solutions.practical solutions.

• Standard 10:• Standard 10: Students will develop an understanding of the role of troubleshooting, Students will develop an understanding of the role of troubleshooting, research and development, invention and innovation, and experimentation in problem-research and development, invention and innovation, and experimentation in problem-solving.solving.o [10.F] Troubleshooting is a problem-solving method used to identify the cause of a o [10.F] Troubleshooting is a problem-solving method used to identify the cause of a malfunction in a technological system.malfunction in a technological system.o [10.G] Invention is a process of turning ideas and imagination into devices and o [10.G] Invention is a process of turning ideas and imagination into devices and systems. Innovation is the process of modifying an existing product or system to systems. Innovation is the process of modifying an existing product or system to improve it.improve it.

• Standard 11:• Standard 11: Students will develop abilities to apply the design process . Students will develop abilities to apply the design process .o [11.I] Specify criteria and constraints for the design.o [11.I] Specify criteria and constraints for the design.o [11.K] Test and evaluate the design in relation to pre-established requirements, such o [11.K] Test and evaluate the design in relation to pre-established requirements, such as criteria and constraints, and refine as needed.as criteria and constraints, and refine as needed.o [11.L] Make a product or system and document the solution. o [11.L] Make a product or system and document the solution.