Essential Question: What is the best family cell phone plan for our family?

1. Problem Solving Approach 1.What information do we need to solve this problem? How many members of the family are there, who needs a phone, what kind of phone do they want, what plan do we have already, how much can we afford, how many minutes and text do you want, etc… 2. How can we break this problem down into pieces? Break it down by carrier and details (such as coverage details, plan details, phone, other features).

Problem Solving Approach 3. What are the steps to solving this problem? Talk about the plan you have already. Narrow down what features you want. Develop a problem statement. Gather information on several carriers. Look at possible solutions. 4. What else do we need to know in order to solve this problem? What are the unknowns? We may not know when the next upgrade will occur.

Problem Solving Approach 5. What assumptions are we going to make? List them clearly! Too many variables can make problems overwhelming! So, we often plug in assumptions to help us get to a conclusion, HOWEVER, it is IMPORTANT to QUESTION ASSUMPTIONS to make sure they are valid and still stand when we reach our conclusion. We assume all phone carriers offer minutes and text. We assume all plans will expire or will need a renewed contract. We assume each member of the family needs a phone. We assume there may be switching costs involved if we change plans.

2. Make the problem specific by narrowing down which features you want. What will the ideal decision include? What should and shouldn’t be included in that decision? – Example 1: Try to find a plan that will provide more data and not worry about minutes. – Example 2: Only look into these 3 companies that provide cell service in OKC (Verizon, Cricket, Sprint)

3. Develop a problem statement: Make the “problem question” more specific Example: What is the best family cell phone plan for a family of 2 that have iPhones, primarily use data and want to spend less than $130 a month. – “the best family cell phone plan”- may not be the cheapest, but takes into consideration wants and desires, opportunity cost, convenience, and delayed gratification.

4. Gather information about options Use graphic organizer to record your research! Be sure to answer the 3 questions at the bottom as well!

5. Examine possible solutions Do this before and in your essay. 1.How a solution is considered the best solution? 1.Example: if it meets the most requirements of the case. 2.Example: if it meets the most important requirements of the case.

5. Examine possible solutions 2. Evaluate (assess, appraise, examine, judge) the choice you made: Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages? What are you giving up/sacrificing if the family goes with this solution of yours? What are the long term and short term effects of the solution? Does the plan favor one family member over another? Explain. What is the likelihood something will not go as planned? What is the contingency plan?

6. Write your essay! Use the rubric I gave you to guide you as you write! Write a 2-page paper (front and back) defending the “best” family phone plan you found. You should include one graphic organizer (table, venn diagram, or your graphic organizer).