Technological Problem Solving Unit Five Technological Problem Solving Problem Solving vs. Design Problem solving Model Design Briefs Creative Brainstorming This material is based upon work supported by the national science foundation under Grant No 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 Innovation Tech 665 Tom Weber Spring 2006

What is Technological Problem Solving? ► Describes a problem as a need which must be met. ► Desires and wants. ► Opportunities to be taken advantage of. ► New technology gets created in response to a problem that needs to be solved.

LowPhat Skateboards: A Problem Solving Story ► 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 so kids were improvising and making their own. I used to see boards made out of every imaginable material… fiberglass, wood, Plexiglas, aluminum. Some 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 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. ► 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 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 80s, I started making my first boards, patterning them after the graphic designs on custom surfboards. 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 wide...low and....” and then my friend said, “man, this ride is phat”. And it just clicked.

Problem solving and design What’s the difference? ► Designing is proactive problem solving. ► Designing can be the refinement of the original concept. ► Design includes invention and innovation. ► Troubleshooting is reactive problem solving. Apple computer

The problem solving model 1. Identify the problem 2. Define the problem (refine) 3. Gather information 4. Develop alternative solutions 5. Select and refine the best solution 6. Express the design. (Sketch or Drawing) 7. Build a model or prototype of the solution 8. Evaluate, revise and refine solution 9. Communicate the solution

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

Design Briefs- How do they help with the problem solving process? ► They Identify a realistic problem ► They make sure the design has a purpose ► They include specific context and not vague ideas ► Must be open-ended with a variety of correct solutions ► Expected results should be clearly identified

Sample Design Brief ► Maglev Design Brief ► efs/design_brief_maglev.htm melroseschools.com/mms/tech_ed/bri efs/design_brief_maglev.htmmelroseschools.com/mms/tech_ed/bri efs/design_brief_maglev.htm

Marshmallow Problem

Creative Brainstorming Brainstorming is a method for developing creative solutions. It works by focusing on the problem and then coming up with as many solutions as possible. Lego Computer

Roles for Brainstorming ► Leader – Teacher or student ► Recorder – This person makes sure that all ideas are recorded accurately and visibly on a flip chart. ► Team Member – They are the source of ideas.

► Driving Technology Education Standards The standard is followed by the specific grade-level appropriate benchmark. Standard 2: Students will develop an understanding of the core concepts of technology. o [2.R] Requirements are the parameters placed on the development of a product or system. o [2.T] Different technologies involve different sets of processes. Standard 8: 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.F] There is no perfect design. o [8.G] Requirements for a design are made up of criteria and constraints. Standard 9: 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 repeated as needed. 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. o [9.H]Modeling, testing, evaluating, and modifying are used to transform ideas into practical solutions. Standard 10: Students will develop an understanding of the role of troubleshooting, research and development, invention and innovation, and experimentation in problem-solving. o [10.F] Troubleshooting is a problem-solving method used to identify the cause of a malfunction in a technological system. 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 improve it. Standard 11: Students will develop abilities to apply the design process. 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 as criteria and constraints, and refine as needed. o [11.L] Make a product or system and document the solution.