Problem Solving Learning Module

Module Description:

This module, from Support Center for Microsystems Education (SCME), provides an introduction to "a systematic approach to solving problems by using a six-step process." The module contains information on approaches for solving both simple and complex problems. Students are assessed "throughout the module on their use of a systematic approach to solving problems, their communication skills (written and oral), and their ability to work with others." This module is divided into the following six units: Activity: Thinking Creatively, A Systematic Approach to Problem Solving Primary Knowledge (PK), Brainstorming Activity, Problem Solving Activity I - The Lawn, Problem Solving Tools PK, and Problem Solving Activity II - A MEMS Process Problem.

Module Contents: 

The module includes seven instructor guides and six student guides. PDF and DOC versions are provided for all of the guides. The included guides are: A Systematic Approach to Problem Solving, Problem Solving Tools, and four activities. Instructor guides include additional content such as instructor notes and questions and answers. A Learning Module Map (LM) Instructor Guide is also included.

The LM map includes information about the module including module contents, target audience, and a map that is divided into the following three sections: Important Steps, Key Points, and Reasons. 

A Systematic Approach to Problem Solving Primary Knowledge is an instructional unit that includes the following objectives:

• Work with others to develop a list of solutions using a brainstorming process.
• Apply a systematic approach to solving at least two problems – a practical everyday problem and an applied problem that one might face in a microtechnology fabrication facility.
• Using good communication skills, work effectively with other participants to solve at least two problems.

The following sections are included in this unit guide: Introduction, Types of Problems That Need to Be Solved, Creativity, Six Steps to Problem Solving, Types of Problems, and more. 

Problem Solving Tools (PK) is an instructional unit that includes the following objective:

• Given several types of charts, explain what information each chart provides.

The following sections are included in this unit guide: Introduction, Cause and Effect Diagrams, Checklist, Flowcharts, Scatter Plots or Scatter Diagrams or Scatter Graphs, Histograms, Pareto Charts, and more.

The Thinking Creatively Activity is intended to be completed prior to the rest of module. In this activity, students "solve three puzzles and then analyze their processes and limitations in solving the problems."

The Brainstorming Activity is intended to be completed during the reading of step three of A Systematic Approach to Problem Solving. In this activity, students "participate in two brainstorming sessions and work with the brainstorming team to evaluate the results of one of the sessions." Objectives of the activity include:

• Given a problem, work with at least one other person to develop possible solutions or causes of the stated problem.
• Evaluate the possible solutions for a problem for the best and most practical solution. 

In the Problem-Solving Activity - The Lawn, students are given "practice in using a systematic approach to problem solving by solving a simple, but realistic problem," using the six steps to problem solving. Objectives for the activity include:

• Given a problem, work with at least two other people to solve the problem using a systematic approach to problem solving.
• Develop an action plan that fixes the problem.
• Apply effective communication skills through the entire problem solving process.

The Problem Solving Activity MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) Process Problem provides students with "additional practice in using a systematic approach to problem solving by solving a realistic problem that can occur in just about any MEMS photolithography process," using the six steps to problem solving. Objectives for the activity include:

• Given a microfabrication problem, work with at least two other people to solve the problem using a six-step approach to problem solving.
• Develop an action plan that fixes the problem.
• Apply effective communication skills through the entire problem solving process.

Six presentations are also included with the following titles: Using Mems Processes to Teach a 6-Step Approach to Solving Problems, Problem Solving Tools, Process Flowchart, Control Charts, Checksheets, and Brainstorming. Each presentation is provided in PDF and PowerPoint formats.

For orientation purposes ProblemSolving_P1_LM_Map.pdf is included as a separate attachment and offers a sample of the type of material included in this module. 

Below is a list of the files included in the .zip attachment. The size of each file is included in parenthesis. 

Problem Solving Learning Module (48 files, 22.7 MB)

• Instructor Guides
  • Docs 
    • Thinking Creatively Activity Instructor Guide (ProblemSolving_AC1_IG_July2017.docx 44 KB)
    • Brainstorming Activity Instructor Guide (ProblemSolving_AC2_IG_July2017.docx 179 KB)
    • Problem Solving Activity - The Lawn Instructor Guide (ProblemSolving_AC3_IG_July2017.docx 373 KB)
    • Problem Solving Activity MEMS Process Problem Instructor Guide (ProblemSolving_AC4_IG_July2017.docx 1 MB)
    • A Systematic Approach to Problem Solving Learning Module (ProblemSolving_P1_LM_Map_July2017.docx 28 KB)
    • A Systematic Approach to Problem Solving Primary Knowledge Instructor Guide (ProblemSolving_PK_IG_July2017.docx 941 KB)
    • Problem Solving Tools Instructor Guide (ProblemSolving_PK2_IG_July2017.docx 1.1 MB)
  • PDFs 
    • Thinking Creatively Activity Instructor Guide (ProblemSolving_AC1_IG.pdf 170 KB)
    • Brainstorming Activity Instructor Guide (ProblemSolving_AC2_IG.pdf 448 KB)
    • Problem Solving Activity - The Lawn Instructor Guide (ProblemSolving_AC3_IG.pdf  457 KB)
    • Problem Solving Activity MEMS Process Problem Instructor Guide (ProblemSolving_AC4_IG.pdf 1.7 MB)
    • A Systematic Approach to Problem Solving Learning Module (ProblemSolving_P1_LM_Map.pdf 157 KB)
    • A Systematic Approach to Problem Solving Primary Knowledge Instructor Guide (ProblemSolving_PK_IG.pdf 2.1 MB)
    • Problem Solving Tools Instructor Guide (ProblemSolving_PK2_IG.pdf 1.7 MB)
• Participant Guides 
  • Docs
    • Thinking Creatively Activity Participant Guide (ProblemSolving_AC1_PG_July2017.docx 42 KB)
    • Brainstorming Activity Participant Guide (ProblemSolving_AC2_PG_July2017.docx 177 KB)
    • Problem Solving Activity The Lawn Participant Guide (ProblemSolving_AC3_PG_July2017.docx 301 KB)
    • Problem Solving Activity MEMS Process Problem Participant Guide (ProblemSolving_AC4_PG_July2017.docx 525 KB)
    • A Systematic Approach to Problem Solving Learning Module (ProblemSolving_P1_PK_PG_July2017.docx 878 KB)
    • Problem Solving Tools Participant Guide (ProblemSolving_PK2_PG_July2017.docx 1.1 MB)
  • PDFs 
    • A Systematic Approach to Problem Solving Learning Module (ProblemSolving__P1_PK_PG.pdf 2.1 MB)
    • Thinking Creatively Activity Participant Guide (ProblemSolving_AC1_PG.pdf 154 KB)
    • Brainstorming Activity Participant Guide  (ProblemSolving_AC2_PG.pdf 443 KB)
    • Problem Solving Activity The Lawn Participant Guide (ProblemSolving_AC3_PG.pdf 354 KB)
    • Problem Solving Activity MEMS Process Problem Participant Guide (ProblemSolving_AC4_PG.pdf 1.1 MB)
    • Problem Solving Tools Participant Guide (ProblemSolving_PK2_PG.pdf 1.7 MB)
• Presentations 
  • PDFs 
    • Brainstorming (Brainstorming pres.pdf 207 KB)
    • Checksheets (Checklist.pdf 235 KB)
    • Control Charts (control chart intro.pdf 299 KB)
    • Process Flowchart (Flowchart pres-example.pdf 228 KB)
    • Problem Solving Tools (PS tools-all.pdf 409 KB)
    • Using MEMS Processes to Teach a 6-Step Approach to Solving Problems (Use MEMS to Teach Problem Solving.pdf 466 KB)
  • PowerPoints
    • Brainstorming (Brainstorming pres.pptx 77 KB)
    • Checksheets (Checklist.pptx 179 KB)
    • Control Charts (control chart intro.pptx 167 KB)
    • Process Flowchart (Flowchart pres-example.pptx 114 KB)
    • Problem Solving Tools (PS tools-all.pptx 106 KB)
    • Using MEMS Processes to Teach a 6-Step Approach to Solving Problems (Use MEMS to Teach Problem Solving.pptx 628 KB)