Problem Solving
Scenario 2: Your child comes home from school with an assignment sheet for a school project. He / she is very excited about the project and begins work immediately, doing research on the Internet and gathering materials. You read over the assignment sheet and notice that your child is not including all of the required items in the project, and you have some ideas for how to improve the quality of the presentation. You recently read an article in a parenting magazine about the importance of a child developing responsibility for his/ her own learning. You recall the many ways in which your parents took over your school projects. You, on the other hand, want to encourage your child’s confidence in his / her ability to complete a project independently. The next day, you are at the grocery store when you see a parent of a student in your child’s class. That parent has spent over $30 in supplies for the science project and is taking a day off of work to put the pieces of the project together.
Review the six-step problem solving process outlined in the article “The Problem Solving Process” located at http://www.gdrc.org/decision/problem-solve.html:
Step One: Define the problem
Step Two: Analyze the problem
Step Three: Generate options
Step Four: Evaluate options
Step Five: Make your decision
Step Six: Implement and reflect
Write a seven to ten (7-10) page paper in which you:
1. Thoroughly Define the problem in the scenario that you have chosen.
2. Thoroughly Analyze the problem in the scenario.
3. Thoroughly Generate options for solving the problem in the scenario.
4. Thoroughly Evaluate the options for solving the problem.
5. Thoroughly Decide on the best option for solving the problem.
6. Thoroughly Explain how you will implement the decision made and reflect on whether this option was the most effective.
This paper should address the following:
What are the probable outcomes of this choice?
Would this option effectively solve the problem?
Is it a reliable choice?
Does it fit with your personal ethics?
How will it affect other people involved?
What’s the worst that can happen?
Will it be possible to reverse this decision if it goes badly?
Imagine consequences of each solution
Predict possible outcomes
Gather more specific information
Talk and gather more opinions
List benefits and drawbacks of each solution
The paper should follow guidelines for clear and organized writing:
Include an introductory paragraph and concluding paragraph.
Address main ideas in body paragraphs with a topic sentence and supporting sentences.
Adhere to standard rules of English grammar, punctuation, mechanics, and spelling.
Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA Style format. You must use a minimum of three references
Solution Preview
Problem Solving Using the Scientific Method
Introduction
Parents have a role in assisting their children in their duties including schoolwork. Being a parent, I have the responsibility to take my children to school so that they get the necessary knowledge to take care of themselves in future. The role I play in the children’s education is to provide encouragement and support their learning activities while at home. Parenthood places me in an excellent position to understand the child’s education needs, given that I am their first educator before the child goes to school.
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