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Thinking Critically and Solving Problems

Learner Exercises

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Learner Exercises


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Exercise: Creativity Self-AssessmentFor each statement, select the appropriate response. Be as honest as possible. Try not to second guess how a creative person might respond.

Most of the time

Often Sometimes Rarely Almost never

1. When presented with many options, I have difficulty deciding which choice is best.

2. After making a decision, I ask other people if they think I made the right one.

3. When dealing with a new project, I prefer to be given specific instructions.

4. I get anxious when I have to make an important decision.

5. I question my intuition.

6. When faced with a familiar problem, I use the same solutions that have worked in the past.

7. After I have made a decision, I find myself wishing I had made a different choice.

8. When I get stuck, I have trouble thinking of new solutions to problems.

9. I change my mind after making a deci-sion.

10. I prefer to work with people whose ideas are practical instead of creative.

If most of your responses were “Most of the time” or “Often,” you may want to work on developing some of the characteristics of highly creative people.

Learner Exercises



Exercise: ReflectionEveryone has faced adversity. Think of an example of a time in your life that you faced adversity but you didn’t handle it well. In the space provided below, write down 3 things you could have done differently to turn your adversity into an opportunity for innovation.

Example of a Time I Faced Adversity:

How I Handled the Adversity:

Three Things I Could Have Done Differently:

1.

2.

3.

Learner Exercises



Exercise: Identifying FallaciesCan you identify a fallacy when you see or hear one? Can you tell the difference between facts and opinions? It is not always easy to determine if the information you receive is ac-tually true. For example, if you watch the news or read the newspaper, how do you know that a story is accurate? When you search websites for information for a paper you are writing, how do you know if the source can be trusted? It is essential that students use critical thinking skills and use multiple trustworthy sources to verify facts.

People often make the mistake of reading and watching things that reinforce their existing beliefs and assumptions. Doing so is the reverse of critical thinking and will not help your credibility or your ability to think critically.

Work with your group to select the appropriate responses below.

Statement Fact Opinion

1. I have the best dog in the world.

2. Texting while driving causes traffic accidents.

3. My math class is difficult.

4. The average U.S. citizen will eat about 11.9 pounds of cereal per year.

5. The sport that requires the most athleticism is football.

6. A dragonfly has a lifespan of 24 hours.

7. More people are killed annually by donkeys than die in air crashes.

8. A dime has 118 ridges around the edge.

9. Monday night television is boring.

10. It takes a lobster approximately seven years to grow to be one pound.

Learner Exercises



Exercise: Inductive or Deductive Reasoning?Read the statements below. Using what you’ve just learned, determine if the statement is based on inductive or deductive reasoning. Place an X under the appropriate type of reasoning for each statement.

Inductive Deductive

There was a severe drought this year and previously whenever there was a severe drought, tourism declined. Tourism will decline this year.

Georgia residents are residents of the United States.

A cow produces 200 times more gas a day than a person.

The final project is worth 20% of the total course grade.

When I travel up north, I notice that people are not always as friendly as in the southern U.S. Therefore, people are as cold as the weather.

99% of the solar system’s mass is concentrated in the sun.

Late homework assignments will receive a letter grade penalty.

The poor economy has affected the way that people live their lives.

Learner Exercises



Exercise: Apply Problem Solving Process to ScenarioRead the scenario below, and then respond to the questions that follow.

Tenecia manages a call center that has 12 customer service representatives. Over the past few months, Tenecia has been receiving many customer complaints. She wants to reduce the number of complaints. After looking into the situation, she finds that 30% of the com-plaints are related to product dissatisfaction and 70% are related to customer hold time. Since hold times are directly in Tenecia’s control, she decides to find out why hold times are an issue then work to reduce those complaints. In her research, Tenecia also found that call volume is highest between 10:00 AM and 10:30 AM. This is also the time when 8 of the 12 representatives take their morning break. At first she considers cancelling morn-ing breaks completely but realizes that would not work. She has many other ideas but rules them out until she comes up with one she thinks will work.

Tenecia decides that too many people are taking their breaks at the same time, leaving fewer representatives on the phone during peak call times, thus resulting in longer wait times for customers. In her next staff meeting, she asks four representatives to volunteer to take their break at 10:00 AM and the other four at 10:30 AM. This will ensure that at least eight representatives are manning the phone lines during times of high call volume. After two weeks of implementing this change, Tenecia will re-evaluate the number of com-plaints to see if the solution she implemented has solved the problem.

Identify the answers for each step in the problem solving process, based on Tenecia’s scenario above.

1. Identify the objective. (What was Tenecia’s objective?)

2. Gather data. (What data did Tenecia gather?)

3. Clarify the problem. (State Tenecia’s clarified problem.)

4. Generate ideas. (What ideas did Tenecia have for solving the problem?)

Learner Exercises



5. Select a solution. (What was Tenecia’s solution?)

6. Implement the solution. (How did Tenecia implement the solution?)


Formative Assessments

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Formative Assessment



Adapting CareersWith everything in our lives, the one thing we can be sure of is change. In order for any organization to survive, it must be constantly adapting and innovating.

Organizations aren’t the only ones that need to adapt and innovate to survive. Individuals need to adapt as well. Change has greatly impacted the job market over the decades and the career paths available. During the Industrial Revolution, many manual jobs became mechanical jobs. During World War II, women faced a change in their home-based careers to join the workforce while the men were away at war.

Instructions Read the following questions regarding jobs in the future, and then provide responses in the space provided.

1. In the future workforce, what kinds of changes will require you to adapt?

2. What jobs exist now that you don’t think will exist during your lifetime in the workplace?

3. What new types of jobs and careers do you think will be created?

4. What kind of training and skills do you think candidates for these jobs require?




Animal InspirationAnimals have often been the source of inspiration for many inventions. Alexander Graham Bell was inspired by the human ear and thus created the telephone. He wrote, “It struck me that the bones of the human ear were very massive as compared with the delicate thin membrane that operated them; and the thought occurred to me that if a membrane so delicate could move bones so relatively massive, why should not a thicker and stouter piece of membrane move a piece of steel?”

InstructionsThink of an example of an invention that may have been inspired by the characteristics of an animal. Describe how the characteristics of the animal are exemplified by the invention.

Animal:

Invention inspired by animal:

How invention exemplifies the animal:




BrainstormingOne step in solving problems is to generate ideas. A common strategy for generating ideas is brainstorming. The goal of brainstorming is to list as many ideas that come to mind as possible.

In the movie Forrest Gump, Forrest is talking with his newfound friend Bubba. Bubba’s family is known for shrimp. Bubba says, “…shrimp is the fruit of the sea. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, sauté it. Dey’s uh, shrimp-kabobs, shrimp creole, shrimp gumbo. Pan fried, deep fried, stir-fried. There’s pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp, shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burger, shrimp sandwich…”

Bubba is a fictional character and his family probably did not originally create all of those shrimp dishes. However, the quote provides an example of how multiple solutions can be developed using one object through the activity of brainstorming.

InstructionsChoose an object in the room. Considering all of the parts and pieces of the object, list at least three ways the object can be used to solve different problems.

Object:

1.

2.

3.




Changing CircumstancesWith everything in our lives, the one thing we can be sure of is change. There are changes in the ways companies do business, in the technology we use to accomplish our daily tasks, in politics, in the economy, in expectations, in our relationships, and there are changes in people’s perceptions and needs. In order for any organization to survive, it must be constantly adapting and innovating.

Adaptability skills are the skills an employee uses to make changes in his or her life in order to achieve goals. People possess adaptability skills if they:

• have a realistic view of the situation.

• realize that making changes can cause a certain amount of stress.

• are prepared to make changes.

• can compromise and be flexible.

• are aware that they cannot control everything.

• are prepared for the unexpected.

InstructionsRead the scenario below, and then select the response that would best demonstrate a willingness to adapt to change in the workplace. In the space provided, explain why you chose your response.

You work in a bank that has just been purchased by another out of state bank. The purchase has resulted in a large number of layoffs, and your department is being eliminated because the operations are moving to another city. However, you have been offered a position in another department of the bank. This will involve learning an entirely new area of bank loan operations. You are very comfortable in your current position and after researching the job being offered, you know that the new job will be challenging. If you don’t accept the offer, you will be given a severance package that will provide income for a few months, giving you time to search for a new job. You should:

A. refuse the offer to transfer to a new department and let them know you would rather take your current skills to another bank than to be moved.

B. show your anger over the sale of the bank and leave without notice.

C. accept the new position, showing your support for the organization and your willingness to learn new skills and accept new challenges.

Next, explain why you chose the option that you decided was best:




Creative MatchBeing creative and innovative is the best approach for dealing with uncertainty. In order to innovate, we must be creative. In other words, we must use our imagination to produce original ideas.

Characteristics of highly creative people:

InstructionsUse the list of characteristics exhibited by highly creative people to complete the following sentences.

1. They can between old ideas to produce new insights.

2. They have the to try new things and risk failure.

3. They are and willing to share what they feel and think, and willing to be themselves.

4. They are rather than by external rewards.

5. They have a need to to challenging problems.

6. They like to , since humor and fun are the ultimate creative act.

7. They will and ask hard questions to discover what is real.

8. They can in confusion and discover hidden meaning in information.

9. They will in order to expand the boundaries of what is possible.

10. They are willing to new ideas and compete with others based on results.

11. They use as well as logic to make decisions and produce ideas.

• courage

• intuition

• play

• expressive

• find order

• motivated by a task

• find solutions

• challenge assumptions

• make connections

• push the envelope

• test




Creative MetaphorsA metaphor is a figure of speech used to represent something else. Some common examples are:

“Time is money.”

“I was frozen in fear. “

“A blanket of snow covered the ground.”

Throughout history, people have created metaphors that represent themselves through technology. When the wheel was invented, we referred to others as “the squeaky wheel.” When batteries came along, we began saying we needed to “recharge.” With the clock came, “ticking time bombs.” Now that computers are commonplace, we refer to our brains as computers with, “my brain is shutting down.”

InstructionsIn the 21st century, all kinds of new technologies are emerging. Try to think of some other examples of technology-related metaphors. Using your creativity, write what you think might be a new metaphor based on our society’s current or future technology.

Example of metaphor:

New metaphor for 21st century:




Creative ThinkerMany people say that they aren’t the creative type. Everyone has the ability to be creative. This means that everyone in an organization must use his or her imagination in order to solve problems and to have the best performance.

According to John C. Maxwell, author of How Successful People Think, creative thinkers:

1. Value ideas. Creative people know that valuing others’ ideas only helps them further brainstorm their own new ideas.

2. Explore options. There is never one solution to a problem. Creative thinkers thrive at the thought of stimulating their imagination about the possibilities and alternatives, and in turn, their creativity thrives.

3. Embrace ambiguity. Many people fear uncertainty, but the most creative people actually enjoy using their imagination to make new discoveries.

4. Celebrate the offbeat. Sometimes ideas are unpopular or even peculiar, but the offbeat ideas often result in the greatest successes.

5. Connect the unconnected. Creative people make associations from others’ ideas to think, collect, create, correct, and connect.

6. Don’t fear failure. Creative thinkers do not let past failures cloud their thinking about what is possible.

InstructionsRead the scenario below, and then respond to the question that follows.

Sindu was recently hired to work at an accounting firm. Although she did not have the experience they were looking for, the firm hired her because she is a creative thinker. On her first day, Sindu’s supervisor tells her that the office will begin using a new accounting system in the next few weeks. Sindu’s task is to learn the new software and train staff how to use it. Her supervisor tells her that nobody in the office knows anything about the software and she will need to figure it out on her own.

Although she knows nothing about the software, Sindu reads over the resources provided to her and searches the Internet for additional information that she can use to help her learn. She finds the software company’s website and all of their tutorials and supporting documentation. Over the next few weeks, Sindu becomes a self-proclaimed expert on the software and successfully trains the staff in her office.

Which of the above characteristics of creative thinkers did Sindu exhibit? How?




Creative Thinker IIMany people say that they aren’t the creative type. Everyone has the ability to be creative. This means that everyone in an organization must use his or her imagination in order to solve problems and to have the best performance.


1. Value ideas. Creative people know that valuing others’ ideas only helps them further brainstorm their own new ideas.

2. Explore options. There is never one solution to a problem. Creative thinkers thrive at the thought of stimulating their imagination about the possibilities and alternatives, and in turn, their creativity thrives.

3. Embrace ambiguity. Many people fear uncertainty, but the most creative people actually enjoy using their imagination to make new discoveries.

4. Celebrate the offbeat. Sometimes ideas are unpopular or even peculiar, but the offbeat ideas often result in the greatest successes.

5. Connect the unconnected. Creative people make associations from others’ ideas to think, collect, create, correct, and connect.

6. Don’t fear failure. Creative thinkers do not let past failures cloud their thinking about what is possible.

InstructionsRead the scenario below, and then respond to the question that follows.

Carlos volunteered to help set up the conference room for the monthly birthday celebration. All of the furniture has been cleared from the room in preparation for the party. He needs to plug the ends of two cords suspended from the ceiling. The cords are located so that he cannot reach one with his outstretched hand while holding the second in his other hand. Carlos only has the resources in his pocket to solve this problem. After trying several options, he decides to tie his keys around the short cord so that he can swing it like a pendulum and catch it while holding the other cord.

Which of the above characteristics of creative thinkers did Carlos exhibit? How?




Creativity and InnovationIn an earlier lesson, you were given an example of creativity and innovation from the company 3M. When the digital age came into full force, 3M noted that people began to take digital pictures but rarely printed the pictures. 3M created Post-it Sticky Picture Paper, or photo paper coated with adhesive that lets people stick their photos to a wall for display. Instead of being left behind in the digital world, 3M embraced the changing world and came up with a creative solution.

InstructionsThink of another example for which an innovative idea was created based on changing societal needs.

Example:




Cultivating CreativityMany people claim that they aren’t the creative type. However, every individual has the ability to be creative and to use his or her imagination in order to solve problems and to achieve the best performance in an organization.


1. Value ideas.

2. Explore options.

3. Embrace ambiguity.

4. Celebrate the offbeat.

5. Connect the unconnected.

6. Don’t fear failure.

InstructionsUsing the list of characteristics above, choose one in which you think you could improve. In the space provided below, write why you chose this characteristic, and two ideas on how you can improve in this area.

Characteristic Needing Improvement:

Reason for Improvement:

Ways to Improve:

1.

2.




Improving CreativityAdversity requires creativity, and everyone has the ability to be creative. This means that everyone in an organization must use his or her imagination in order to solve problems and to have the best performance.

Highly creative people:

• have the COURAGE to try new things and risk failure.

• use INTUITION as well as logic to make decisions and produce ideas.

• like to PLAY, since humor and fun are the ultimate creative act.

• are EXPRESSIVE and willing to share what they feel and think, to be themselves.

• can FIND ORDER in confusion and discover hidden meaning in information.

• are MOTIVATED BY A TASK rather than by external rewards.

• have a need to FIND SOLUTIONS to challenging problems.

• will CHALLENGE ASSUMPTIONS and ask difficult questions to discover what is real.

• can MAKE CONNECTIONS between old ideas to produce new insights.

• will PUSH THE ENVELOPE in order to expand the boundaries of what is possible and get out of their comfort zones.

• are willing to TEST new ideas and compete with others based on results.

InstructionsUsing the list of characteristics above, choose one in which you think you could improve. Then, write down some steps you can take to improve this area.

Areas for Improvement:

Ways to Improve:




Inductive vs. DeductiveThe ability to think critically is not a trait with which people are born. It is not a gift that you either have or don’t. Critical thinking is a skill that anyone can develop that involves questioning assumptions, and that takes effort and practice. The more you practice, the better you will become at critical thinking.

There are two types of reasoning:

• inductive reasoning

• deductive reasoning

Inductive reasoning is a conclusion or an educated guess that is often based on real experiences or known facts. This type of reasoning happens naturally and it is often used as the basis of a belief or a conclusion. Inductive reasoning begins with a specific event and then makes a general statement.

While inductive reasoning begins with one specific observation to make a generalized statement, deductive reasoning begins with a generalized statement to make an observation. Inductive reasoning may be false, even if it’s based on something that is true. On the other hand, deductive reasoning is always true.

InstructionsRead the statements below and determine if they are based on inductive or deductive reasoning.

Inductive Deductive

The last time it rained, I heard thunder. Every time it rains, it thunders.

When there is a low pressure sytem, the sky is overcast with clouds. A low pressure system is moving in, so the sky will be cloudy.

Dairy products contain milk. This ice cream is a dairy product, so it must contain milk.

Women have more car accidents than men. Women are bad drivers.

I once knew a mean guy named John. All guys named John must be mean.




Mystery Solved!To ensure the best solution to a problem, you must gather all evidence available even though it may not initially appear to be relevant. Think of yourself as an investigator at a crime scene. You do not have to be a real crime scene investigator to know that fresh crime scenes are typically meticulously scoured for evidence. Not to mention, all possible suspects are interviewed as well as any potential witnesses. Without systemically gathering evidence, investigators may never be able to correctly solve a crime.

InstructionsRead the crime described below, featured on the television show Unsolved Mysteries. Afterward, list at least 5 pieces of evidence that could be gathered to help solve the case.

On June 26, 1990, an armored truck was on the way to a scheduled delivery in Rochester, New York. The truck contained nearly $11 million dollars in cash. Just after 7:00 AM, the armored truck made an unauthorized stop at a convenience store. The driver waited in the truck as a guard went inside the store.

While the guard was buying coffee and doughnuts, trouble loomed back at the armored truck. A man in a Halloween mask put a gun to the driver’s head while another gunman forced his way into the back of the truck. Five minutes later, the guard returned to the truck with the coffee and doughnuts, unaware of what awaited her. The gunman tied the guard up and she was gagged and put in the back of the truck.

The driver was forced, at gunpoint, to drive to a secluded location, one and a half miles from the convenience store. According to authorities, the armored truck was followed by a gray van. Investigators later found the location to be about 75 to 100 yards off the road, out of sight behind a small hill. The site had been prepared prior to the robbery as several tree branches were freshly cut to make sure the large vehicle would fit.

It took the guard 15 painful minutes to rip through the plastic handcuffs. Unable to free her partner, she drove the armored truck to company headquarters and reported the robbery. In less than an hour, the thieves had made off with nearly $11 million dollars. The next day, the get-away van was discovered five miles away. The interior was littered with over $13,000 in small bills–the leftovers of what authorities have determined was the largest on-the-road armored car robbery in United States history.

Investigators found a broken porthole which allowed one robber to hold the driver at gunpoint, while the other used a key to get in through the truck’s side door. The victims said both gunmen wore clothing nearly identical to the uniforms worn by company employees. Finally, only a limited number of people were aware of the enormous amount of untraceable cash being transported that day.




Possible pieces of evidence:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.




Questioning BeliefsObjective reasoning is essential when analyzing a problem. Objective reasoning is unbiased and is not clouded by a person’s previous experiences or beliefs. People often make the mistake of identifying problems that reinforce their existing beliefs and assumptions. Doing so is the reverse of critical thinking and will not help your credibility or your ability to think critically.

Sometimes when we receive new information, we accept it without question. These are called truisms, or statements that seem to be obviously true.

Some examples of truisms are:

“Recessions are bad.”

“It takes money to make money.”

“A little knowledge can go a long way.”

The problem with truisms is that they are not always true. Believing something because it obviously seems true can limit your ability to find creative solutions and develop innovative ideas.

InstructionsList three beliefs that you hold that may not be necessarily true and explain why they may not be true.

1.

2.

3.




Six Steps to Problem SolvingCritical thinking and problem solving skills are important in life no matter whether you are at work or at home. Developing these skills takes time and practice. Critical thinking and problem solving require creativity, innovation, and the ability to persevere in the face of adversity. Everyone has the capability to be creative and to come up with innovative ideas.

With a little practice, patience, and a systematic approach, all problems can lead to effective solutions.

InstructionsBelow are the six steps to creative problem solving. Note the correct order of the steps by placing a number in the space provided.

Implement the solution

Identify the objective

Gather data

Generate ideas

Clarify the problem

Select a solution




That’s a Fact!Can you tell the difference between facts and opinions? It is not always easy to determine if the information you receive is actually factual. For example, if you watch the news or read the newspaper, how do you know that a story is true? When you search websites for information for a paper you are writing, how do you know if the source can be trusted? It is essential that students use critical thinking skills and use multiple trustworthy sources to verify facts.


InstructionsThe following is a list of opinions. In the space provided, rewrite the opinion to be a fact. Since this is an exercise, the fact does not have to be true. The first one is completed for you.

Opinion: Labrador Retrievers are the best dogs to own.

Fact: There are more registered AKC Labrador Retrievers than any other breed.

1. Opinion: The weather is nice today.

Fact:

2. Opinion: Everybody loves chocolate chip cookies.

Fact:

3. Opinion: You’ll make more money if you go to college.

Fact:

4. Opinion: Science is a confusing subject.

Fact:

5. Opinion: Fall is the best season of the four.

Fact:




That’s My OpinionCan you tell the difference between facts and opinions? It is not always easy to determine if the information you receive is actually factual. For example, if you watch the news or read the newspaper, how do you know that a story is true? When you search websites for information for a paper you are writing, how do you know if the source can be trusted? It is essential that students use critical thinking skills and use multiple trustworthy sources to verify facts.


InstructionsThe following is a list of facts. In the space provided, rewrite the fact to be an opinion. An example is completed to spark your ideas.

Fact: More than ten people per year are killed by vending machines.

Opinion: Vending machines are very dangerous.

1. Fact: Smokers get ten times more wrinkles than non-smokers.

Opinion:

2. Fact: Your fingernails grow faster in winter.

Opinion:

3. Fact: Most of the dust underneath your bed is actually your own dead skin.

Opinion:

4. Fact: Caffeine boosts memory.

Opinion:




There’s an App for That!It seems like there is a mobile application (app) for everything these days. Apple alone has over 500,000 apps available for download and that number grows every day. There are mobile apps of all types for games, reference, business, travel, and the list goes on. If you have a Smartphone, chances are that you may have a favorite app or two!

People who created the most successful apps did so with innovation and creativity. We’ve already learned that everyone has the ability to be creative and to come up with innovative ideas. Technology allows people to create their own mobile apps, and with just one great idea, you could become an overnight success.

InstructionsThink of a problem that you frequently encounter. Use your creativity and innovation to develop a concept for a new app that will address your problem. Use the space below to write your thoughts.

Problem:

App Concept:




Why?A key part of solving a problem is clarifying the problem. Many times people think that they have solved a problem, only to have the problem occur again at a later time. Often this is because they developed a solution for the wrong problem.

A good strategy for identifying the correct problem is by asking, “Why?” The core of any problem can be found if you continue to ask, “Why?” Read the example below.

The patient was late. Why?

There was a long wait for a bus. Why?

A replacement bus had to be found. Why?

The original bus’s wheel was worn and eventually blew out. Why?

It had not been regularly checked for wear. Why?

We do not have an equipment maintenance schedule.

In this case, the real problem was not that the patient was late, but that the bus company does not have a regular maintenance schedule.

As a general rule, you should ask yourself “Why?” at least five times to ensure that you get to the root cause of a problem.

InstructionsThink of an example of problem you have encountered. State the problem and then ask “Why?” to clarify the problem.

Problem: Why?

Clarify the problem: Why?




Clarify the problem:


Summative Assessment

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Test Your Knowledge

1. Kevin’s department recently had to lay off three people because of budget cuts. He has not been able to concentrate on his work because he worries that he might be the next employee to lose his job. He has been rushing to complete his tasks and has started snapping at his coworkers. Kevin’s recent behavior is an example of:

a. his lack of professionalism.

b. how tasks should be completed.

c. his lack of urgency.

d. how a negative reaction to adversity impacts performance on the job.

2. Annabelle works part time at an electronics store. She’s had difficulty dealing with elderly customers on two different occasions because they were slow to decide on a product. Annabelle believes that all elderly customers are slow and does her best to avoid dealing with them. Annabelle’s belief that all elderly customers are slow is an example of:

a. deductive reasoning.

b. evidence.

c. fallacy.

d. creative thinking.

3. Whether or not a problem is an opportunity depends on:

a. the cost of fixing it.

b. what the manager thinks.

c. what you do about it.

d. what the customers think.

4. Deductive reasoning is:

a. never false.

b. possibly true.

c. probably true.

d. always false.




5. David’s car repair business was doing terribly. He immediately blamed it on the bad economy because it made sense. David’s reasoning:

a. shows a lack of common sense.

b. shows his keen intuition.

c. shows a lack of evidence.

d. incorporates a disciplined approach.

6. Kirby works in the customer service department of an electronics store so he hears customer complaints firsthand. He was tired of hearing complaints from customers about the software setup package that came with their new computers. Kirby suggested to his manager that the store offer new software setup services to computer buyers for an added fee. This is an example of:

a. trying too hard to please the customer.

b. turning a problem into a new business opportunity.

c. a tired customer service representative.

d. unreliable software.

7. Mike is writing up a plan for action based on a series of meetings with his team. This final step in creative problem-solving is called:

a. wrapping things up.

b. generating ideas.

c. reaching the objective.

d. implementing the solution.

Match the Definitions

8. Critical thinking

9. Inductive reasoning

10. Adversity

a. misfortune, or anything that poses a difficulty or problem

b. the mental process of analyzing or evaluating information

c. a conclusion or an educated guess that is often based on real experiences or known facts


Project Based Learning Activity

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Thinking Critically and Solving ProblemsProject Based Learning Activity


Background InformationThroughout this lesson, you’ve learned the elements of critical thinking and problem solving. We took an example of a problem and walked through the six steps of creative problem solving together. Then, you analyzed Tenecia’s problem using the same six steps. Now, it’s time to apply what you’ve learned to your own situation.

Your Task As a team, identify a problem, real or fictional, and complete the six steps to creative problem solving. You will need to come to agreement as a team, then document your thoughts and actions for each step. Your work should include a detailed implementation plan.

1. Identify the objective.

2. Gather data.

3. Clarify the problem.

4. Generate ideas.

Thinking Critically and Solving ProblemsProject Based Learning Activity


5. Select a solution.

6. Implement the solution.

Step Action

1

2

3

4

5

6

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