Understanding Meta-Frameworks
Let's start by understanding the concept of meta-frameworks. In the realm of PBL, where project themes and types vary widely, there exist common paradigms of practical behaviors. We refer to these as classic PBL meta-frameworks.
The problem-solving approach we're discussing today stands as a quintessential meta-framework, applicable across diverse teaching scenarios, from innovation competitions to course assignments.
Deciphering Problem-Solving
A PBL project developed based on problem-solving leads students to try to solve a broad or specific problem and come up with a feasible solution.
Problem-solving mainly requires students to be able to find solutions with a scientific methodology and process, rather than randomly trying to do so. The two most basic modes of thinking, creative thinking and critical thinking, are included in it.
Combining Creative and Critical Thinking
Creative Thinking is a type of thinking that emphasizes divergent thinking and encourages us to create and make new and meaningful connections between different things. In using creative thinking, we perceive gaps, paradoxes, challenges, concerns, or opportunities in a problem and then give the problem a wide range of solution possibilities by producing as many potential solutions as possible.
In contrast to creative thinking, critical thinking is a type of thinking that emphasizes convergent thinking and encourages us to analyze, refine, and choose options. In using critical thinking, we think deeply about the possibilities, weigh the advantages and disadvantages and the implications of each, to select the best solution.
Problem solving requires a combination of both creative and critical thinking, only one kind of thinking is very limited. If we only use creative thinking, we can have many creative ideas, but they may not be able to stand up to scrutiny; if we only use critical thinking, we may not have a wide and creative range of options to choose from, and the best solution may not be in the options
The way to combine the two thinking modes is to: first use creative thinking to spread out, that is, go wide, to get as many potential options and ideas, and then use critical thinking to go deep, with a deeper dimension to look at different options, and make the best choice.
Here the two types of thinking, one horizontal and one vertical, form a T-shape, which we call the T-shaped problem-solving framework.
The Six-Step Problem-Solving Approach
Whether that’s in a group collaboratively or independently problem solving, the process remains the same. Problem-solving steps cover multiple aspects of a problem that we can bring together to find a solution.
No matter what the problem is, maybe it is a big one, maybe it is a small one, to solve it, we nearly always have to follow the six problem-solving stages or steps.
Identify Challenges
Identify the Root Cause
Brainstorm Solutions
Identify Evaluation Criteria
Evaluate Potential Solutions
Action Plan
Let's look at each of these six steps one by one.
Step 1: Identify Challenges
The first step is to identify Challenges. First, we need to recognize that there is a problem and identify the right cause of the problem. Consider how and why it happened. Look at the problem from different perspectives, and generate as many challenges as you can.
The best way to identify the root cause of the problem is to ask questions and gather information. Some strategies that we can use to figure out the source of a problem include:
Asking questions about the problem
Breaking the problem down into smaller pieces
Looking at the problem from different perspectives
Researching to figure out what relationships exist between different variables
We ask questions and gather information in the way described above, and then make logical deductions, rather than based on feelings.
Finally, we need to take the time to explain the problems and challenges, write them down, and then discuss each one.
This process ensures that we are moving in the right direction toward the problems that need to be solved.
In the last phase of the step, we need to spend time elaborating on the problem. Write it down, and discuss everything.
This section of the problem-solving process ensures that we are moving in the right direction toward the problems that need to be solved and in the right direction.
Step 2: Identify the Root Cause
Recognizing that there is a problem and identifying the right cause of the problem, may sound obvious, but similar problems can arise from different events, and the real issue may not always be apparent. To really solve the problem, it's important to find out what started it all. This is called identifying the root cause.
People often use the most immediate solution to the first problem definition that they find without spending time checking the problem is the right one to answer.
In the first step, we listed out the problems and challenges. At this point, we should focus on figuring out which aspects of the problems are facts and identifying the root causes. It is a check-step to ensure that you do not answer a side issue or only solve the part of the problem that is most easy to solve.
Step 3: Brainstorm Solutions
After the root cause has been identified, the next question is, how can we solve the problem? In the third step, we need to brainstorm solutions.
We have the following three rules when brainstorming solutions.
This stage is where you go big and broad. Students can be unlimitedly creative about possible solutions – even if some solutions seem ridiculous at first. "No idea is a bad idea". Any idea that comes to mind, no matter how crazy it may sound, can be the key to solving the problem. It's important to keep an open mind to boost creative thinking, which can trigger potential solutions.
At this stage, students should concentrate on generating many solutions and should not evaluate them at all. Very often an idea, that would have been discarded immediately, when evaluated properly, can be developed into a superb solution. So, at this stage, you should not pre-judge any potential solutions but should treat each idea as a new idea in its own right and worthy of consideration.
And we should clarify each idea, and combine and build on ideas to generate more new ideas.
During this phase, we encourage creative thinking; we encourage every member to participate and contribute their ideas.
Step 4: Identify Evaluation Criteria
The first step is to Identify Evaluation Criteria. We generated many possible solutions through brainstorming. However, each solution may differ slightly or radically in the way and the extent to which it achieves your various goals.
To evaluate these solutions effectively, first, we need to identify criteria. Be sure to write each criterion as a question. Here are some common criteria that indicate an ideal solution:
Solves the Problem Effectively？
Meets Constraints？
Acceptable to stakeholders?
Good Cost/Benefit Ratio?
Practical?
Reliable?
Original?
etc.
Finally, we construct the different criteria into a model of the ideal solution to measure the potential solutions.
Step 5: Evaluate Potential Solutions
After having the evaluation model, we need to identify and compare the relative values of the possible solutions. This information must be recorded and presented in a meaningful way to aid comparison. It can also be used to persuade other people to accept the decision.
The evaluation process includes the following steps:
Eliminating unviable solutions
At this stage, we examine each solution in turn and reject those which do not meet all the constraints we have. (e.g.: it can't be completed on time, It’s under budget, etc.)
Evaluating the remaining solutions
Each of the remaining solutions is scored. We can set the scoring scale for each evaluation criterion and score each solution.
Making the decision
After scoring each solution, the best of the options is the top-scoring one, which fits the ideal solution most closely.
Step 6: Action Plan
The last process is where we develop our top-scoring solution idea into an Action Plan. In this stage, students write down what they are going to do next, and how they will make the solution happen. This will involve people doing various things at various times in the future and then confirming that they have been carried out as planned. This stage ensures that the valuable thinking that has gone into solving the problem becomes reality. This series of Next Steps is the logical step to physically solving the problem.
When developing the action plan, we ensure a thorough explanation of how the problem is solved by answering all six of the critical questions:
who
what
when
where
why
and how
Conclusion
Mastering problem-solving in PBL necessitates traversing these sequential steps meticulously. Each phase contributes to a holistic understanding of the problem and facilitates the evolution of viable solutions. By embracing a structured approach to problem-solving, educators empower students to navigate complex challenges effectively, fostering critical thinking and innovation.
Through this article, we've elucidated the essence of problem-solving in PBL, equipping educators with the knowledge and tools to guide their students towards effective problem resolution. As we continue our journey in PBL education, let's champion problem-solving as a cornerstone of experiential learning.
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