Week 9: Think

Writing assignment 1: Reflect: Do Others Think of Me as a Problem-Solver?

In class, or as homework, free-write for at least 15 minutes on the following questions or prompts:

It’s often said, "Don’t worry about what others think of you." While this is good advice at times, knowing how others perceive you might be a useful window into who you are.
Think about whether the people who know you would say you are a good problem-solver. If they would say you are a good problem-solver, why do you think this is? What is your history with problem-solving? Have you always been known this way? What traits lead people to believe this about you?
If the answer is, no, you’re not perceived as a problem-solver, why? What do you think you need to change about yourself to become a better problem-solver?

Writing assignment 2: Powerful Problem-Solving

Introduction:

The purpose of this writing assignment is to determine how to approach several different situations using critical thinking and problem-solving.

Task:

Choose one of the following scenarios to evaluate:

a. Jamie, a full-time student who also works 25 hours a week, is beginning to fall behind in her studies. What can she do?

b. Jordan is having trouble understanding the content in one of his technical courses. He’s reading the textbook, doing the assignments and homework, but it is still confusing. What can he do?

c. Renee is experiencing a problem with her boss at work. The evaluations she has been receiving do not seem fair. What should this employee do?

d. Maria is carrying a full course load, working part-time, and trying to raise three children on her own. She can’t seem to get to get to her coursework in time to finish it every week. How should she approach this problem?

e. John is not doing well in his online course. This is the first online course he has taken, and although the material is not very difficult, he cannot seem to motivate himself to get through it. He recognizes education is the key to his future, and this type of program can fit into his already hectic life. What can he do to approach this problem?

Using the problem-solving method presented in the text, apply the following steps in a logical manner to the scenario that you have chosen:

1. State the problem clearly.
2. Analyze the problem.
3. Brainstorm possible solutions with your classmates if they are available out of class, or with family members and friends. You can also free-write on possible solutions by yourself.
4. Determine the criteria for your solution.
5. Explore each solution.
6. Decide on the solution you think is best.
7. Explain how you would evaluate the solution after it is implemented.

Delivery of this Unit’s Assignments:

Use Garmond 12 point font, non-bold, single spaced with spaces between questions or paragraphs.

Attach your reflection from the first Writing Assignment. In addition, attach your solution to the critical thinking and problem-solving Writing Assignment.
Before you submit the assignments, check it first!

o Did you answer all the questions in the free-writing assignment?
o Did you address each element of the problem-solving method and apply it to the scenario you chose?

Lab

Microsoft PowerPoint Project 3 and 4
Microsoft PowerPoint Exam 2