Invention and Innovation Unit #5 Mrs. Mattson Carl Ben Eielson Middle School Fargo, ND ETP 2006—Tanya Mattson 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 view of the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Unit #5 Technological Problem-Solving Information for this presentation was taken from the CATTS curriculum Unit #5 and Valley City State University Unit #5 readings, unless otherwise noted.

Real life problem solving makes it easier for the “medicine to go down.”

Technological Problem-Solving The most authentic way to approach the subject. The most authentic way to approach the subject. –In the real world, we practice technology by solving problems. A problem is a need, desire, or want which must be met. A problem is a need, desire, or want which must be met. Problem solving involves many higher order thinking skills that are regarded as crucial for success in the information age. Problem solving involves many higher order thinking skills that are regarded as crucial for success in the information age.

17 Mental Processes 1. Defining the Problem or Opportunity Operationally 2. Observing 3. Analyzing 4. Visualizing 5. Computing 6. Communicating 7. Measuring 8. Constructing Models & Prototypes 9. Predicting 10. Questioning & Hypothesizing 11. Interpreting Data 12. Experimenting 13. Testing 14. Designing 15. Modeling 16. Creating 17. Managing Hill, 1997

Technological or Engineering Design 1. Identify/defining a problem. 2. Define or “refine” the problem 3. Gather information (internet or other research) 4. Develop alternate solutions (critical = first idea is rarely the best) 5. Select and refine the best solution 6. Express the design solution (sketch or drawing) 7. Build a Model or Prototype of the solution 8. Evaluate, revise, and refine the solution 9. Communicate the solution

Invention and Innovation are creative ways to solve problems. Engineering design is a major type of problem- solving process, but it isn’t the only one. Engineering design is a major type of problem- solving process, but it isn’t the only one. Technological problem solving can be divided into 3 categories: Technological problem solving can be divided into 3 categories: –Design –Troubleshooting –Technology Assessment Other approaches include: Other approaches include: –Research and Development –Experimentation

Design A PROACTIVE problem solving A PROACTIVE problem solving It is the first step in making a product or system. It is the first step in making a product or system. It includes not only the original concept, but also the research, experimentation, and development necessary to prepare the product for manufacturing. It includes not only the original concept, but also the research, experimentation, and development necessary to prepare the product for manufacturing. It would include invention and innovation. It would include invention and innovation.

Design Can refer to how something is made (designed) Can refer to how something is made (designed) It can deal with design principles (rules regarding rhythm, balance, proportion, emphasis, etc.) It can deal with design principles (rules regarding rhythm, balance, proportion, emphasis, etc.) It can refer to drawing or sketching (a designed set of house plans) It can refer to drawing or sketching (a designed set of house plans) It can refer to a problem-solving approach It can refer to a problem-solving approach

Design is a creative planning process that leads to useful products and systems. The design process is: –A systematic problem-solving process with criteria and constraints, –Used to develop many possible solutions to solve a problem or satisfy human needs and wants –To narrow down the possible solutions to one final choice.

Troubleshooting A REACTIVE problem solving and involves a recognition of technical solutions to problems in existing technology. A REACTIVE problem solving and involves a recognition of technical solutions to problems in existing technology. Used to identify the cause of a malfunction in a technological system. Used to identify the cause of a malfunction in a technological system. Often requires specialized knowledge, including how the system works, parts of the system and how they work, how to use specialized machines and tools, etc. Often requires specialized knowledge, including how the system works, parts of the system and how they work, how to use specialized machines and tools, etc. Could lead to innovation. Could lead to innovation.

Technology Assessment The ability to critically analyze the impacts of technological solutions in order to predict possible outcomes and choose the most appropriate solution to a problem.

Research & Development (R & D) A specific problem-solving approach that is used extensively in business and industry to prepare devices and systems for the marketplace. A specific problem-solving approach that is used extensively in business and industry to prepare devices and systems for the marketplace. Is the practical application of scientific and engineering knowledge for discovering new knowledge about products, processes, and services and then applying that knowledge to create new and improved products, processes, and services that fill market needs. Is the practical application of scientific and engineering knowledge for discovering new knowledge about products, processes, and services and then applying that knowledge to create new and improved products, processes, and services that fill market needs.

Experimentation A test is typically done under controlled conditions to test an educated guess (hypothesis) about something. A test is typically done under controlled conditions to test an educated guess (hypothesis) about something. It is a systematic process that also involves tinkering, observing, tweaking, testing, and documentation. It is a systematic process that also involves tinkering, observing, tweaking, testing, and documentation. In Science, a very popular approach is the “scientific method.” In Science, a very popular approach is the “scientific method.”

Scientific Method Basic steps of the scientific method: Step 1: Make observations Step 2: Form a hypothesis Step 3: Make a prediction Step 4: Perform an experiment Step 5: Analyze the results of the experiment Step 6: Draw a conclusion Step 7: Report your results

A Design Brief Must accomplish 5 things: 1. Identify a realistic problem. 2. Make sure the design brief has a purpose. 3. Include specific contexts and not vague ideas. 4. Must be open-ended with a variety of “correct” solutions. 5. Expected results should be clearly identified.

Context: putting the students in a real problem solving situation and allowing them to “practice technology” by coming up with a solution. Context: putting the students in a real problem solving situation and allowing them to “practice technology” by coming up with a solution. Different solutions should be allowed. Different solutions should be allowed. Detailed instructions and template have defeated the purpose of the activity because the students have been denied the opportunity to do real problem- solving. Detailed instructions and template have defeated the purpose of the activity because the students have been denied the opportunity to do real problem- solving.

Specific items that should be contained in the design brief 1. Topic or title 2. Description of the situation. 3. Description of the need or the problem to be solved. 4. What must be accomplished? What are the objectives? 5. Criteria. This describes the details of the solution, what requirements should be met, etc.

6. Constraints. Sometimes combined with the Criteria section and simply called “requirements.” 7. Resources. 8. Evaluation or Testing. Provides guidelines to help students determine if their solution solves the problem and meets the criteria. 9. Assessment. Describes how students will be assessed on what they’ve learned. 10. Description of findings and conclusions. Students summarize what they’ve learned and accomplished.

Brainstorming A method for developing creative solutions to problems. A method for developing creative solutions to problems. It works by focusing on a problem, and then coming up with as many as solutions as possible and by pushing the ideas as far as possible. It works by focusing on a problem, and then coming up with as many as solutions as possible and by pushing the ideas as far as possible.

Roles of Brainstorming Leader: Often the teacher, but could be a student once they are familiar with the process. Leader: Often the teacher, but could be a student once they are familiar with the process. Recorder: Makes sure all the ideas accurately and visibly on a flip chart, whiteboard, projector, etc. They may need an assistant. Recorder: Makes sure all the ideas accurately and visibly on a flip chart, whiteboard, projector, etc. They may need an assistant. Team Member(s): The source of ideas. Team Member(s): The source of ideas.

Tips for successful Brainstorming There is no criticism of ideas There is no criticism of ideas The object is to expose as many solutions as possible and break down preconceptions about the limitations of the problem. The object is to expose as many solutions as possible and break down preconceptions about the limitations of the problem. The leader initially defines and introduces the problem to be solved with any criteria that must be met, and then keeps the session on course. He or she should encourage an enthusiastic, uncritical attitude among brainstormers and encourage participation by all members of the group. The leader initially defines and introduces the problem to be solved with any criteria that must be met, and then keeps the session on course. He or she should encourage an enthusiastic, uncritical attitude among brainstormers and encourage participation by all members of the group.

The session should be announced as lasting a fixed amount of time. The session should be announced as lasting a fixed amount of time. The leader should ensure that no train of thought is followed for to long. The leader should ensure that no train of thought is followed for to long. Leader should try to keep the brainstorming on subject and try to steer it towards the development of solutions. Leader should try to keep the brainstorming on subject and try to steer it towards the development of solutions. Brainstormers should be encouraged to have fun brainstorming, coming up with as many ideas as possible, from solid practical ones to wild impractical ones in an environment where creativity is welcomed. Brainstormers should be encouraged to have fun brainstorming, coming up with as many ideas as possible, from solid practical ones to wild impractical ones in an environment where creativity is welcomed.

Ideas must not be criticized or evaluated during the brainstorming session. Ideas must not be criticized or evaluated during the brainstorming session. Criticism introduces an element of risk for a group member in putting forward an idea. Criticism introduces an element of risk for a group member in putting forward an idea. This stifles creativity and cripples the free running nature of a good brainstorming session. This stifles creativity and cripples the free running nature of a good brainstorming session.

Brainstorming Processing/Evaluating Once they have finished coming up with ideas (the time period is over) the process of refinement and election begins and complete solutions are sought. Once they have finished coming up with ideas (the time period is over) the process of refinement and election begins and complete solutions are sought. Similar ideas are combined and duplications are eliminated. Similar ideas are combined and duplications are eliminated. Appealing criteria should be established before each solution is ranked or eliminated. (Each team member can assign points, etc.) Appealing criteria should be established before each solution is ranked or eliminated. (Each team member can assign points, etc.)

Less emphasis on: More Emphasis on: Knowing technical details and parts of tools Understanding systems and their interrelated parts Activities that are fun Selecting content and then fun activities that reinforce and teach the content Processes and skill to complete a project Designing and planning before making Working alone Working in groups or teams Teacher as information expert Teacher as facilitator of student learning Management of materials and equipment Management of ideas and information Student communicates to teacher Student present information to classes Tests as only assessment Self and team evaluation and reflection Right or wrong solutions Open-ended, innovative, creative solutions that allow for opportunities to take risks and discover what works. Summarization of the changes in emphasis of almost all areas as listed in the ITEA/CATTS document “Teaching Technology: Middle School Strategies for Standards-Based Instruction.”

Standards Covered 8: Students will develop an understanding of the attributes of design 8: Students will develop an understanding of the attributes of design –8.E: Design is a creative planning process that leads to useful products and systems. –8.F: There is no perfect design –8.G: Requirements for a design are made up of criteria and constraints. 9: Students will develop an understanding of engineering design. 9: Students will develop an understanding of engineering design. –9.F: Design involves a set of steps, which can be performed in different sequences and repeated as necessary. –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. –9.H: Modeling, testing, evaluating, and modifying are used to transform ideas into practical solutions. 10: Students will develop an understanding of the role of troubleshooting, research and development, invention and innovation, and experimentation in problem-solving. 10: Students will develop an understanding of the role of troubleshooting, research and development, invention and innovation, and experimentation in problem-solving. –10.F: Troubleshooting is a problem-solving method used to identify the cause of a malfunction in a technological system.