Problem Solving

Defining the problem and Choosing Strategies for Seeking Information

Outline

A. Definition -- Sample Meaning and People Involved:

What does “it” mean? Whose problem is it? Where does it happen?

Assumption (1): Why is it a problem? Assumption (2):

Why does the problem need to be solved? What can be accomplished?

Scope and Related Areas: Is the problem too big for you to solve? How can the problem be divided into different aspects?

B. Information Seeking StrategiesC. Steps Taken in problem solving

Sample –”It’s all fashion’s fault”A. Definition Meaning and People Involved:

Fashion leads to limited choices, rigid value standards, false sense of identity

Whose – Not only those interested in catching the trend, but all the clothing manufacturers and consumers.

Assumption (1): It’s natural to use clothing to express ourselves, but we need to have more choices and also develop our personal sense of styles.

Assumption (2): Why does the problem need to be solved? What can be accomplished? Solved in a limited way and on a personal level.

Scope and Related Areas: know our bodies and develop a sense of color

combination, etc. shopping strategies – say no to whatever is ‘said’ to

be fashionable. Shop with a need and with an awareness of what’s in your wardrobe.

collection strategies – clear organization, etc.

Sample –”It’s all fashion’s fault”

Information Seeking Strategies I. Internet – public opinions and BBS; II. Literature review: III. Data collection:

Magazine – language used to construct our identity;

Take pictures on the streets to find some patterns in people’s dressing;

Go to some stores, ask for recommendations, and mentally remember the saleswomen’s persuasive skills.

What does it mean?

How to overcome the bottleneck of language learning How to identify and solve language learning problems kinds Meaningful exposure to the language Emotional blocks to language learning

(e.g. speaking) Mismatch between learning style and

learning situation Lack of encouragement and

accountability Lack of motivation or plan

What does it mean?

How to Talk About My Love Relationship With My Parents?

1. Context definition: kinds of parents and kinds of love;

2. Purpose of Talk – communication, confession, with a specific goal (e.g. marriage)

3. Desired Results? For understanding, agreement or more active support.

What does it mean?

Depression: kinds 1, 2, 憂鬱 (Depression; 輕鬱症 ; 重鬱症 ) ，躁症 (Mania; Manic Depression), 季節性憂鬱症 (SAD)

Major Depression ; 2 (symptoms: Mood; Interests; Eating and weight;Sleep; Motor activity; Fatigue; Self-worth, Concentration, Death.)

Anxiety – Panic, Phobic, Obsessive Compulsive, Inactivity,

Whose problem is it?

How to gain weight Those under weight? (

Proper Weight And BMI Chart) Those who want to be slim? With anorexia? Actors and actresses?

How to deal with exercise-addiction How much is too much? (Different from

‘positive addiction’ source) How about those who play basketball for a

whole afternoon?

Where does it happen?

second-hand smoking On campus and outside of classrooms?

Aren’t no-smoking signs put up in many places?

In a taxi? We can ask taxi-drivers to stop smoking, but not to never smoke.

In some pubs?

Assumption (1): Why is it a problem?

Keeping life-long friendship with a good old friend who is hard to see. Friendship is to be nourished by both

involved. Is it possible to have life-long friendship?

Or life-long memory of some friendship? English dept’s giving lower grades. Is

it true? In all the classes? Why? Not harmful to one’s learning, but --

Assumption (2): Why does the problem need to be solved? Can the problems be solved by you?

Stray dogs on campus FJ -- 與流浪狗共舞 : 我們的校犬」 ; 流浪

到輔大　狗兒的新家 ; Doggy Club; 清大成立「關懷生命社」 ; 交大流浪狗問題多 (source)

Scope and Structure: How to get along with roommates (

general reference) – Narrow down!!! Do you have concrete examples? after some conflicts; through efficient communication to overcome

schedule conflicts. Assumption:

understand your roommates, the types of problems (Does your schedule

really bother your roommates? The reasons for the conflicts)

Understand your relationship without assuming too much. Are you nodding acquaintances, close friends or strangers to each other?

Scope and Structure:

how to get along with roommates – Mental preparation; Conflict Resolution Skills e.g. 1

Scope and Structure:

How to deal with a friend who is used to see the dark-side of the world? Definition/Assumption –

What is ‘dark-side’ or pessimism? How is it different from being realistic or cynical?

your relationship with this person and the degree of his pessimism;

Can we really change a person?

Is the problem too big for you to solve?

Craze for Learning English – best and economical ways of learning English Age level—college students? Or high

school students? Motivation & Self-Learning abilities Family background Existing learning strategies

How can the problem be divided into different aspects?

poor vocabulary Counter example: 陳俊生 71 快速記憶學校 Purpose; Learning habits; Definition: knowing a word is about

knowing: the form,

its grammatical use,its collocations,function andmeaning.

Strategies External factors (your age, etc.)

How can the problem be divided into different aspects?

Anxiety or depression – Kind

External reasons Psychological reasons Physical reasons

Information Seeking Strategies

I. Internet – general information (e.g. on psychology), public opinions and BBS;

II. Library Research/Literature review: poor vocabulary

III. Raw Data collection: Asking around Case study – Depression; overcome the

anxiety in the daily life; How to gain weight; how to get along with roommates; keep life-long friendship; the bottleneck of language learning; pessimistic friends; exercise-addiction

Policy reading -- How to deal with the problem of stray dogs on campus; second-hand smoking

Steps Taken in problem solving (1)

Problem Solving Understanding the problem.

(Recognizing what is asked for.) Devising a plan. (Responding to what is

asked for.) Carrying out the plan. (Developing the

result of the response.) Looking back.

Steps Taken in problem solving (2)

The Big Six in information management -- 1. Task Definition 2. Information Seeking Strategies 3. Location and Access information 4. Use of Information 5. Synthesize and present the information

to Offer Solutions 6. Evaluate Process and Product (source)

Only for interview (see

below)