Thinking Critically
and Solving Problems
Learner Exercises
vs01031201
Thinking Critically and Solving Problems
Learner Exercises
Exercise: Creativity Self-Assessment
For each statement, select the appropriate response. Be as honest as possible. Try not to
second guess how a creative person might respond.
Most of
the time
Often
Sometimes
Rarely
Almost
never
1. When presented with many options, I
have difficulty deciding which choice is
best.
2. After making a decision, I ask other
people if they think I made the right one.
3. When dealing with a new project, I prefer
to be given specific instructions.
4. I get anxious when I have to make an
important decision.
5. I question my intuition.
6. When faced with a familiar problem, I
use the same solutions that have worked
in the past.
7. After I have made a decision, I find
myself wishing I had made a different
choice.
8. When I get stuck, I have trouble thinking
of new solutions to problems.
9. I change my mind after making a decision.
10. I prefer to work with people whose ideas
are practical instead of creative.
If most of your responses were “Most of the time” or “Often,” you may want to work on
developing some of the characteristics of highly creative people.
©WIN Learning. All rights reserved.
These documents are proprietary material. Do not distribute or reproduce outside the terms of your license without
written permission from WIN Learning.
2
Thinking Critically and Solving Problems
Learner Exercises
Exercise: Reflection
Everyone has faced adversity. Think of an example of a time in your life that you faced
adversity but you didn’t handle it well. In the space provided below, write down 3 things
you could have done differently to turn your adversity into an opportunity for innovation.
Example of a Time I Faced Adversity:
How I Handed the Adversity:
Three Things I Could Have Done Differently:
1.
2.
3.
©WIN Learning. All rights reserved.
These documents are proprietary material. Do not distribute or reproduce outside the terms of your license without
written permission from WIN Learning.
3
Thinking Critically and Solving Problems
Learner Exercises
Exercise: Identifying Fallacies
Can you identify a fallacy when you see or hear one? Can you tell the difference between
facts and opinions? It is not always easy to determine if the information you receive is actually true. For example, if you watch the news or read the newspaper, how do you know
that a story is accurate? When you search websites for information for a paper you are
writing, how do you know if the source can be trusted? It is essential that students use
critical thinking skills and use multiple trustworthy sources to verify facts.
People often make the mistake of reading and watching things that reinforce their existing
beliefs and assumptions. Doing so is the reverse of critical thinking and will not help your
credibility or your ability to think critically.
Work with your group to select the appropriate responses below.
Statement
1.
2.
3.
4.
Fact
Opinion
I have the best dog in the world.
Texting while driving causes traffic accidents.
My math class is difficult.
The average U.S. citizen will eat about 11.9 pounds of
cereal per year.
5. The sport that requires the most athleticism is football.
6. A dragonfly has a lifespan of 24 hours.
7. More people are killed annually by donkeys than die in
air crashes.
8. A dime has 118 ridges around the edge.
9. Monday night television is boring.
10. It takes a lobster approximately seven years to grow to
be one pound.
©WIN Learning. All rights reserved.
These documents are proprietary material. Do not distribute or reproduce outside the terms of your license without
written permission from WIN Learning.
4
Thinking Critically and Solving Problems
Learner Exercises
Exercise: Inductive or Deductive Reasoning?
Read the statements below. Using what you’ve just learned, determine if the statement
is based on inductive or deductive reasoning. Place an X under the appropriate type of
reasoning for each statement.
Inductive
Deductive
There was a severe drought this year and previously whenever there was a
severe drought, tourism declined. Tourism will decline this year.
Georgia residents are residents of the United States.
A cow produces 200 times more gas a day than a person.
The final project is worth 20% of the total course grade.
When I travel up north, I notice that people are not always as friendly as in the
southern U.S. Therefore, people are as cold as the weather.
99% of the solar system’s mass is concentrated in the sun.
Late homework assignments will receive a letter grade penalty.
The poor economy has affected the way that people live their lives.
©WIN Learning. All rights reserved.
These documents are proprietary material. Do not distribute or reproduce outside the terms of your license without
written permission from WIN Learning.
5
Thinking Critically and Solving Problems
Learner Exercises
Exercise: Apply Problem Solving Process to
Scenario
Read the scenario below, and then respond to the questions that follow.
Tenecia manages a call center that has 12 customer service representatives. Over the past
few months, Tenecia has been receiving many customer complaints. She wants to reduce
the number of complaints. After looking into the situation, she finds that 30% of the complaints are related to product dissatisfaction and 70% are related to customer hold time.
Since hold times are directly in Tenecia’s control, she decides to find out why hold times
are an issue then work to reduce those complaints. In her research, Tenecia also found
that call volume is highest between 10:00 AM and 10:30 AM. This is also the time when 8
of the 12 representatives take their morning break. At first she considers cancelling morning breaks completely but realizes that would not work. She has many other ideas but
rules them out until she comes up with one she thinks will work.
Tenecia decides that too many people are taking their breaks at the same time, leaving
fewer representatives on the phone during peak call times, thus resulting in longer wait
times for customers. In her next staff meeting, she asks four representatives to volunteer
to take their break at 10:00 AM and the other four at 10:30 AM. This will ensure that at
least eight representatives are manning the phone lines during times of high call volume.
After two weeks of implementing this change, Tenecia will re-evaluate the number of complaints to see if the solution she implemented has solved the problem.
Identify the answers for each step in the problem solving process, based on Tenecia’s
scenario above.
1. Identify the objective. (What was Tenecia’s objective?)
2. Gather data. (What data did Tenecia gather?)
3. Clarify the problem. (State Tenecia’s clarified problem.)
4. Generate ideas. (What ideas did Tenecia have for solving the problem?)
©WIN Learning. All rights reserved.
These documents are proprietary material. Do not distribute or reproduce outside the terms of your license without
written permission from WIN Learning.
6
Thinking Critically and Solving Problems
Learner Exercises
5. Select a solution. (What was Tenecia’s solution?)
6. Implement the solution. (How did Tenecia implement the solution?)
©WIN Learning. All rights reserved.
These documents are proprietary material. Do not distribute or reproduce outside the terms of your license without
written permission from WIN Learning.
7
Thinking Critically
and Solving Problems
Formative Assessments
vs01031201
Thinking Critically and Solving Problems
Formative Assessment
Adapting Careers
With everything in our lives, the one thing we can be sure of is change. In order for any
organization to survive, it must be constantly adapting and innovating.
Organizations aren’t the only ones that need to adapt and innovate to survive. Individuals
need to adapt as well. Change has greatly impacted the job market over the decades and
the career paths available. During the Industrial Revolution, many manual jobs became
mechanical jobs. During World War II, women faced a change in their home-based careers
to join the workforce while the men were away at war.
Instructions
Read the following questions regarding jobs in the future, and then provide responses in
the space provided.
1.
In the future workforce, what kinds of changes will require you to adapt?
2. What jobs exist now that you don’t think will exist during your lifetime in the workplace?
3. What new types of jobs and careers do you think will be created?
4. What kind of training and skills do you think candidates for these jobs require?
©WIN Learning. All rights reserved.
These documents are proprietary material. Do not distribute or reproduce outside the terms of your license without
written permission from WIN Learning.
2
Thinking Critically and Solving Problems
Formative Assessment
Animal Inspiration
Animals have often been the source of inspiration for many inventions. Alexander Graham
Bell was inspired by the human ear and thus created the telephone. He wrote, “It struck
me that the bones of the human ear were very massive as compared with the delicate thin
membrane that operated them; and the thought occurred to me that if a membrane so
delicate could move bones so relatively massive, why should not a thicker and stouter piece
of membrane move a piece of steel?”
Instructions
Think of an example of an invention that may have been inspired by the characteristics
of an animal. Describe how the characteristics of the animal are exemplified by the
invention.
Animal:
Invention inspired by animal:
How invention exemplifies the animal:
©WIN Learning. All rights reserved.
These documents are proprietary material. Do not distribute or reproduce outside the terms of your license without
written permission from WIN Learning.
3
Thinking Critically and Solving Problems
Formative Assessment
Brainstorming
One step in solving problems is to generate ideas. A common strategy for generating ideas
is brainstorming. The goal of brainstorming is to list as many ideas that come to mind as
possible.
In the movie Forrest Gump, Forrest is talking with his newfound friend Bubba. Bubba’s family
is known for shrimp. Bubba says, “…shrimp is the fruit of the sea. You can barbecue it, boil
it, broil it, bake it, sauté it. Dey’s uh, shrimp-kabobs, shrimp creole, shrimp gumbo. Pan
fried, deep fried, stir-fried. There’s pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper
shrimp, shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burger,
shrimp sandwich…”
Bubba is a fictional character and his family probably did not originally create all of those
shrimp dishes. However, the quote provides an example of how multiple solutions can be
developed using one object through the activity of brainstorming.
Instructions
Choose an object in the room. Considering all of the parts and pieces of the object, list
at least three ways the object can be used to solve different problems.
Object:
1.
2.
3.
©WIN Learning. All rights reserved.
These documents are proprietary material. Do not distribute or reproduce outside the terms of your license without
written permission from WIN Learning.
4
Thinking Critically and Solving Problems
Formative Assessment
Changing Circumstances
With everything in our lives, the one thing we can be sure of is change. There are changes in
the ways companies do business, in the technology we use to accomplish our daily tasks,
in politics, in the economy, in expectations, in our relationships, and there are changes
in people’s perceptions and needs. In order for any organization to survive, it must be
constantly adapting and innovating.
Adaptability skills are the skills an employee uses to make changes in his or her life in order
to achieve goals. People possess adaptability skills if they:
• have a realistic view of the situation.
• realize that making changes can cause a certain amount of stress.
• are prepared to make changes.
• can compromise and be flexible.
• are aware that they cannot control everything.
• are prepared for the unexpected.
Instructions
Read the scenario below, and then select the response that would best demonstrate a
willingness to adapt to change in the workplace. In the space provided, explain why you
chose your response.
You work in a bank that has just been purchased by another out of state bank. The
purchase has resulted in a large number of layoffs, and your department is being
eliminated because the operations are moving to another city. However, you have been
offered a position in another department of the bank. This will involve learning an entirely
new area of bank loan operations. You are very comfortable in your current position and
after researching the job being offered, you know that the new job will be challenging.
If you don’t accept the offer, you will be given a severance package that will provide
income for a few months, giving you time to search for a new job. You should:
A. refuse the offer to transfer to a new department and let them know you would rather
take your current skills to another bank than to be moved.
B. show your anger over the sale of the bank and leave without notice.
C. accept the new position, showing your support for the organization and your
willingness to learn new skills and accept new challenges.
Next, explain why you chose the option that you decided was best:
©WIN Learning. All rights reserved.
These documents are proprietary material. Do not distribute or reproduce outside the terms of your license without
written permission from WIN Learning.
5
Thinking Critically and Solving Problems
Formative Assessment
Creative Match
Being creative and innovative is the best approach for dealing with uncertainty. In order to
innovate, we must be creative. In other words, we must use our imagination to produce
original ideas.
Characteristics of highly creative people:
• courage
• motivated by a task
• make connections
• intuition
• find solutions
• push the envelope
• play
• challenge
assumptions
• test
• expressive
• find order
Instructions
Use the list of characteristics exhibited by highly creative people to complete the
following sentences.
1. They can
2. They have the
between old ideas to produce new insights.
to try new things and risk failure.
3. They are
willing to be themselves.
and willing to share what they feel and think, and
4. They are
rather than by external rewards.
5. They have a need to
6. They like to
act.
to challenging problems.
, since humor and fun are the ultimate creative
7. They will
and ask hard questions to discover what is real.
8. They can
information.
in confusion and discover hidden meaning in
9. They will
possible.
in order to expand the boundaries of what is
10. They are willing to
based on results.
11. They use
ideas.
new ideas and compete with others
as well as logic to make decisions and produce
©WIN Learning. All rights reserved.
These documents are proprietary material. Do not distribute or reproduce outside the terms of your license without
written permission from WIN Learning.
6
Thinking Critically and Solving Problems
Formative Assessment
Creative Metaphors
A metaphor is a figure of speech used to represent something else. Some common
examples are:
“Time is money.”
“I was frozen in fear. “
“A blanket of snow covered the ground.”
Throughout history, people have created metaphors that represent themselves through
technology. When the wheel was invented, we referred to others as “the squeaky wheel.”
When batteries came along, we began saying we needed to “recharge.” With the clock
came, “ticking time bombs.” Now that computers are commonplace, we refer to our brains
as computers with, “my brain is shutting down.”
Instructions
In the 21st century, all kinds of new technologies are emerging. Try to think of some other
examples of technology-related metaphors. Using your creativity, write what you think
might be a new metaphor based on our society’s current or future technology.
Example of metaphor:
New metaphor for 21st century:
©WIN Learning. All rights reserved.
These documents are proprietary material. Do not distribute or reproduce outside the terms of your license without
written permission from WIN Learning.
7
Thinking Critically and Solving Problems
Formative Assessment
Creative Thinker
Many people say that they aren’t the creative type. Everyone has the ability to be creative.
This means that everyone in an organization must use his or her imagination in order to solve
problems and to have the best performance.
According to John C. Maxwell, author of How Successful People Think, creative thinkers:
1. Value ideas. Creative people know that valuing others’ ideas only helps them
further brainstorm their own new ideas.
2. Explore options. There is never one solution to a problem. Creative thinkers
thrive at the thought of stimulating their imagination about the possibilities and
alternatives, and in turn, their creativity thrives.
3. Embrace ambiguity. Many people fear uncertainty, but the most creative people
actually enjoy using their imagination to make new discoveries.
4. Celebrate the offbeat. Sometimes ideas are unpopular or even peculiar, but the
offbeat ideas often result in the greatest successes.
5. Connect the unconnected. Creative people make associations from others’ ideas
to think, collect, create, correct, and connect.
6. Don’t fear failure. Creative thinkers do not let past failures cloud their thinking
about what is possible.
Instructions
Read the scenario below, and then respond to the question that follows.
Sindu was recently hired to work at an accounting firm. Although she did not have the
experience they were looking for, the firm hired her because she is a creative thinker. On
her first day, Sindu’s supervisor tells her that the office will begin using a new accounting
system in the next few weeks. Sindu’s task is to learn the new software and train staff
how to use it. Her supervisor tells her that nobody in the office knows anything about the
software and she will need to figure it out on her own.
Although she knows nothing about the software, Sindu reads over the resources
provided to her and searches the Internet for additional information that she can use to
help her learn. She finds the software company’s website and all of their tutorials and
supporting documentation. Over the next few weeks, Sindu becomes a self-proclaimed
expert on the software and successfully trains the staff in her office.
Which of the above characteristics of creative thinkers did Sindu exhibit? How?
©WIN Learning. All rights reserved.
These documents are proprietary material. Do not distribute or reproduce outside the terms of your license without
written permission from WIN Learning.
8
Thinking Critically and Solving Problems
Formative Assessment
Creative Thinker II
Many people say that they aren’t the creative type. Everyone has the ability to be creative.
This means that everyone in an organization must use his or her imagination in order to solve
problems and to have the best performance.
According to John C. Maxwell, author of How Successful People Think, creative thinkers:
1. Value ideas. Creative people know that valuing others’ ideas only helps them
further brainstorm their own new ideas.
2. Explore options. There is never one solution to a problem. Creative thinkers
thrive at the thought of stimulating their imagination about the possibilities and
alternatives, and in turn, their creativity thrives.
3. Embrace ambiguity. Many people fear uncertainty, but the most creative people
actually enjoy using their imagination to make new discoveries.
4. Celebrate the offbeat. Sometimes ideas are unpopular or even peculiar, but the
offbeat ideas often result in the greatest successes.
5. Connect the unconnected. Creative people make associations from others’ ideas
to think, collect, create, correct, and connect.
6. Don’t fear failure. Creative thinkers do not let past failures cloud their thinking
about what is possible.
Instructions
Read the scenario below, and then respond to the question that follows.
Carlos volunteered to help set up the conference room for the monthly birthday
celebration. All of the furniture has been cleared from the room in preparation for the
party. He needs to plug the ends of two cords suspended from the ceiling. The cords are
located so that he cannot reach one with his outstretched hand while holding the second
in his other hand. Carlos only has the resources in his pocket to solve this problem. After
trying several options, he decides to tie his keys around the short cord so that he can
swing it like a pendulum and catch it while holding the other cord.
Which of the above characteristics of creative thinkers did Carlos exhibit? How?
©WIN Learning. All rights reserved.
These documents are proprietary material. Do not distribute or reproduce outside the terms of your license without
written permission from WIN Learning.
9
Thinking Critically and Solving Problems
Formative Assessment
Creativity and Innovation
In an earlier lesson, you were given an example of creativity and innovation from the
company 3M. When the digital age came into full force, 3M noted that people began to take
digital pictures but rarely printed the pictures. 3M created Post-it Sticky Picture Paper, or
photo paper coated with adhesive that lets people stick their photos to a wall for display.
Instead of being left behind in the digital world, 3M embraced the changing world and came
up with a creative solution.
Instructions
Think of another example for which an innovative idea was created based on changing
societal needs.
Example:
©WIN Learning. All rights reserved.
These documents are proprietary material. Do not distribute or reproduce outside the terms of your license without
written permission from WIN Learning.
10
Thinking Critically and Solving Problems
Formative Assessment
Cultivating Creativity
Many people claim that they aren’t the creative type. However, every individual has the ability
to be creative and to use his or her imagination in order to solve problems and to achieve the
best performance in an organization.
According to John C. Maxwell, author of How Successful People Think, creative thinkers:
1. Value ideas.
2. Explore options.
3. Embrace ambiguity.
4. Celebrate the offbeat.
5. Connect the unconnected.
6. Don’t fear failure.
Instructions
Using the list of characteristics above, choose one in which you think you could improve.
In the space provided below, write why you chose this characteristic, and two ideas on
how you can improve in this area.
Characteristic Needing Improvement:
Reason for Improvement:
Ways to Improve:
1.
2.
©WIN Learning. All rights reserved.
These documents are proprietary material. Do not distribute or reproduce outside the terms of your license without
written permission from WIN Learning.
11
Thinking Critically and Solving Problems
Formative Assessment
Improving Creativity
Adversity requires creativity, and everyone has the ability to be creative. This means that
everyone in an organization must use his or her imagination in order to solve problems and
to have the best performance.
Highly creative people:
• have the COURAGE to try new things and risk failure.
• use INTUITION as well as logic to make decisions and produce ideas.
• like to PLAY, since humor and fun are the ultimate creative act.
• are EXPRESSIVE and willing to share what they feel and think, to be themselves.
• can FIND ORDER in confusion and discover hidden meaning in information.
• are MOTIVATED BY A TASK rather than by external rewards.
• have a need to FIND SOLUTIONS to challenging problems.
• will CHALLENGE ASSUMPTIONS and ask difficult questions to discover what is
real.
• can MAKE CONNECTIONS between old ideas to produce new insights.
• will PUSH THE ENVELOPE in order to expand the boundaries of what is
possible and get out of their comfort zones.
• are willing to TEST new ideas and compete with others based on results.
Instructions
Using the list of characteristics above, choose one in which you think you could improve.
Then, write down some steps you can take to improve this area.
Areas for Improvement:
Ways to Improve:
©WIN Learning. All rights reserved.
These documents are proprietary material. Do not distribute or reproduce outside the terms of your license without
written permission from WIN Learning.
12
Thinking Critically and Solving Problems
Formative Assessment
Inductive vs. Deductive
The ability to think critically is not a trait with which people are born. It is not a gift that
you either have or don’t. Critical thinking is a skill that anyone can develop that involves
questioning assumptions, and that takes effort and practice. The more you practice, the
better you will become at critical thinking.
There are two types of reasoning:
• inductive reasoning
• deductive reasoning
Inductive reasoning is a conclusion or an educated guess that is often based on real
experiences or known facts. This type of reasoning happens naturally and it is often used
as the basis of a belief or a conclusion. Inductive reasoning begins with a specific event and
then makes a general statement.
While inductive reasoning begins with one specific observation to make a generalized
statement, deductive reasoning begins with a generalized statement to make an
observation. Inductive reasoning may be false, even if it’s based on something that is true.
On the other hand, deductive reasoning is always true.
Instructions
Read the statements below and determine if they are based on inductive or deductive
reasoning.
Inductive
Deductive
The last time it rained, I heard thunder. Every time it
rains, it thunders.
When there is a low pressure sytem, the sky is
overcast with clouds. A low pressure system is
moving in, so the sky will be cloudy.
Dairy products contain milk. This ice cream is a dairy
product, so it must contain milk.
Women have more car accidents than men. Women
are bad drivers.
I once knew a mean guy named John. All guys
named John must be mean.
©WIN Learning. All rights reserved.
These documents are proprietary material. Do not distribute or reproduce outside the terms of your license without
written permission from WIN Learning.
13
Thinking Critically and Solving Problems
Formative Assessment
Mystery Solved!
To ensure the best solution to a problem, you must gather all evidence available even though
it may not initially appear to be relevant. Think of yourself as an investigator at a crime scene.
You do not have to be a real crime scene investigator to know that fresh crime scenes
are typically meticulously scoured for evidence. Not to mention, all possible suspects are
interviewed as well as any potential witnesses. Without systemically gathering evidence,
investigators may never be able to correctly solve a crime.
Instructions
Read the crime described below, featured on the television show Unsolved Mysteries.
Afterward, list at least 5 pieces of evidence that could be gathered to help solve the
case.
On June 26, 1990, an armored truck was on the way to a scheduled delivery in
Rochester, New York. The truck contained nearly $11 million dollars in cash. Just
after 7:00 AM, the armored truck made an unauthorized stop at a convenience
store. The driver waited in the truck as a guard went inside the store.
While the guard was buying coffee and doughnuts, trouble loomed back at the
armored truck. A man in a Halloween mask put a gun to the driver’s head while
another gunman forced his way into the back of the truck. Five minutes later,
the guard returned to the truck with the coffee and doughnuts, unaware of what
awaited her. The gunman tied the guard up and she was gagged and put in the
back of the truck.
The driver was forced, at gunpoint, to drive to a secluded location, one and a half
miles from the convenience store. According to authorities, the armored truck
was followed by a gray van. Investigators later found the location to be about
75 to 100 yards off the road, out of sight behind a small hill. The site had been
prepared prior to the robbery as several tree branches were freshly cut to make
sure the large vehicle would fit.
It took the guard 15 painful minutes to rip through the plastic handcuffs. Unable
to free her partner, she drove the armored truck to company headquarters and
reported the robbery. In less than an hour, the thieves had made off with nearly
$11 million dollars. The next day, the get-away van was discovered five miles
away. The interior was littered with over $13,000 in small bills–the leftovers of
what authorities have determined was the largest on-the-road armored car
robbery in United States history.
Investigators found a broken porthole which allowed one robber to hold the
driver at gunpoint, while the other used a key to get in through the truck’s side
door. The victims said both gunmen wore clothing nearly identical to the uniforms
worn by company employees. Finally, only a limited number of people were
aware of the enormous amount of untraceable cash being transported that day.
©WIN Learning. All rights reserved.
These documents are proprietary material. Do not distribute or reproduce outside the terms of your license without
written permission from WIN Learning.
14
Thinking Critically and Solving Problems
Formative Assessment
Possible pieces of evidence:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
©WIN Learning. All rights reserved.
These documents are proprietary material. Do not distribute or reproduce outside the terms of your license without
written permission from WIN Learning.
15
Thinking Critically and Solving Problems
Formative Assessment
Questioning Beliefs
Objective reasoning is essential when analyzing a problem. Objective reasoning is
unbiased and is not clouded by a person’s previous experiences or beliefs. People
often make the mistake of identifying problems that reinforce their existing beliefs and
assumptions. Doing so is the reverse of critical thinking and will not help your credibility
or your ability to think critically.
Sometimes when we receive new information, we accept it without question. These are
called truisms, or statements that seem to be obviously true.
Some examples of truisms are:
“Recessions are bad.”
“It takes money to make money.”
“A little knowledge can go a long way.”
The problem with truisms is that they are not always true. Believing something because
it obviously seems true can limit your ability to find creative solutions and develop
innovative ideas.
Instructions
List three beliefs that you hold that may not be necessarily true and explain why they
may not be true.
1.
2.
3.
©WIN Learning. All rights reserved.
These documents are proprietary material. Do not distribute or reproduce outside the terms of your license without
written permission from WIN Learning.
16
Thinking Critically and Solving Problems
Formative Assessment
Six Steps to Problem Solving
Critical thinking and problem solving skills are important in life no matter whether you are
at work or at home. Developing these skills takes time and practice. Critical thinking and
problem solving require creativity, innovation, and the ability to persevere in the face of
adversity. Everyone has the capability to be creative and to come up with innovative ideas.
With a little practice, patience, and a systematic approach, all problems can lead to effective
solutions.
Instructions
Below are the six steps to creative problem solving. Note the correct order of the steps
by placing a number in the space provided.
Implement the solution
Identify the objective
Gather data
Generate ideas
Clarify the problem
Select a solution
©WIN Learning. All rights reserved.
These documents are proprietary material. Do not distribute or reproduce outside the terms of your license without
written permission from WIN Learning.
17
Thinking Critically and Solving Problems
Formative Assessment
That’s a Fact!
Can you tell the difference between facts and opinions? It is not always easy to determine if
the information you receive is actually factual. For example, if you watch the news or read the
newspaper, how do you know that a story is true? When you search websites for information
for a paper you are writing, how do you know if the source can be trusted? It is essential that
students use critical thinking skills and use multiple trustworthy sources to verify facts.
People often make the mistake of reading and watching things that reinforce their existing
beliefs and assumptions. Doing so is the reverse of critical thinking and will not help your
credibility or your ability to think critically.
Instructions
The following is a list of opinions. In the space provided, rewrite the opinion to be a fact.
Since this is an exercise, the fact does not have to be true. The first one is completed for
you.
Opinion: Labrador Retrievers are the best dogs to own.
Fact: There are more registered AKC Labrador Retrievers than any other breed.
1.
Opinion: The weather is nice today.
Fact:
2. Opinion: Everybody loves chocolate chip cookies.
Fact:
3. Opinion: You’ll make more money if you go to college.
Fact:
4. Opinion: Science is a confusing subject.
Fact:
5. Opinion: Fall is the best season of the four.
Fact:
©WIN Learning. All rights reserved.
These documents are proprietary material. Do not distribute or reproduce outside the terms of your license without
written permission from WIN Learning.
18
Thinking Critically and Solving Problems
Formative Assessment
That’s My Opinion
Can you tell the difference between facts and opinions? It is not always easy to determine if
the information you receive is actually factual. For example, if you watch the news or read the
newspaper, how do you know that a story is true? When you search websites for information
for a paper you are writing, how do you know if the source can be trusted? It is essential that
students use critical thinking skills and use multiple trustworthy sources to verify facts.
People often make the mistake of reading and watching things that reinforce their existing
beliefs and assumptions. Doing so is the reverse of critical thinking and will not help your
credibility or your ability to think critically.
Instructions
The following is a list of facts. In the space provided, rewrite the fact to be an opinion. An
example is completed to spark your ideas.
Fact: More than ten people per year are killed by vending machines.
Opinion: Vending machines are very dangerous.
1.
Fact: Smokers get ten times more wrinkles than non-smokers.
Opinion:
2. Fact: Your fingernails grow faster in winter.
Opinion:
3. Fact: Most of the dust underneath your bed is actually your own dead skin.
Opinion:
4. Fact: Caffeine boosts memory.
Opinion:
©WIN Learning. All rights reserved.
These documents are proprietary material. Do not distribute or reproduce outside the terms of your license without
written permission from WIN Learning.
19
Thinking Critically and Solving Problems
Formative Assessment
There’s an App for That!
It seems like there is a mobile application (app) for everything these days. Apple alone has
over 500,000 apps available for download and that number grows every day. There are
mobile apps of all types for games, reference, business, travel, and the list goes on. If you
have a Smartphone, chances are that you may have a favorite app or two!
People who created the most successful apps did so with innovation and creativity. We’ve
already learned that everyone has the ability to be creative and to come up with innovative
ideas. Technology allows people to create their own mobile apps, and with just one great
idea, you could become an overnight success.
Instructions
Think of a problem that you frequently encounter. Use your creativity and innovation to
develop a concept for a new app that will address your problem. Use the space below to
write your thoughts.
Problem:
App Concept:
©WIN Learning. All rights reserved.
These documents are proprietary material. Do not distribute or reproduce outside the terms of your license without
written permission from WIN Learning.
20
Thinking Critically and Solving Problems
Formative Assessment
Why?
A key part of solving a problem is clarifying the problem. Many times people think that they
have solved a problem, only to have the problem occur again at a later time. Often this is
because they developed a solution for the wrong problem.
A good strategy for identifying the correct problem is by asking, “Why?” The core of any
problem can be found if you continue to ask, “Why?” Read the example below.
The patient was late. Why?
There was a long wait for a bus. Why?
A replacement bus had to be found. Why?
The original bus’s wheel was worn and eventually blew out. Why?
It had not been regularly checked for wear. Why?
We do not have an equipment maintenance schedule.
In this case, the real problem was not that the patient was late, but that the bus company
does not have a regular maintenance schedule.
As a general rule, you should ask yourself “Why?” at least five times to ensure that you get
to the root cause of a problem.
Instructions
Think of an example of problem you have encountered. State the problem and then ask
“Why?” to clarify the problem.
Problem:
Why?
Clarify the problem:
Why?
Clarify the problem:
Why?
Clarify the problem:
Why?
Clarify the problem:
Why?
Clarify the problem:
©WIN Learning. All rights reserved.
These documents are proprietary material. Do not distribute or reproduce outside the terms of your license without
written permission from WIN Learning.
21
Thinking Critically
and Solving Problems
Summative Assessment
vs01031201
Thinking Critically and Solving Problems
Summative Assessment
Test Your Knowledge
1. Kevin’s department recently had to lay off three people because of
budget cuts. He has not been able to concentrate on his work because
he worries that he might be the next employee to lose his job. He has
been rushing to complete his tasks and has started snapping at his
coworkers. Kevin’s recent behavior is an example of:
a. his lack of professionalism.
b. how tasks should be completed.
c. his lack of urgency.
d. how a negative reaction to adversity impacts performance on the
job.
2. Annabelle works part time at an electronics store. She’s had difficulty
dealing with elderly customers on two different occasions because
they were slow to decide on a product. Annabelle believes that all
elderly customers are slow and does her best to avoid dealing with
them. Annabelle’s belief that all elderly customers are slow is an
example of:
a. deductive reasoning.
b. evidence.
c. fallacy.
d. creative thinking.
3. Whether or not a problem is an opportunity depends on:
a. the cost of fixing it.
b. what the manager thinks.
c. what you do about it.
d. what the customers think.
4. Deductive reasoning is:
a. never false.
b. possibly true.
c. probably true.
d. always false.
©WIN Learning. All rights reserved.
These documents are proprietary material. Do not distribute or reproduce outside the terms of your license without
written permission from WIN Learning.
2
Thinking Critically and Solving Problems
Summative Assessment
5. David’s car repair business was doing terribly. He immediately blamed
it on the bad economy because it made sense. David’s reasoning:
a. shows a lack of common sense.
b. shows his keen intuition.
c. shows a lack of evidence.
d. incorporates a disciplined approach.
6. Kirby works in the customer service department of an electronics store
so he hears customer complaints firsthand. He was tired of hearing
complaints from customers about the software setup package that
came with their new computers. Kirby suggested to his manager that
the store offer new software setup services to computer buyers for an
added fee. This is an example of:
a. trying too hard to please the customer.
b. turning a problem into a new business opportunity.
c. a tired customer service representative.
d. unreliable software.
7. Mike is writing up a plan for action based on a series of meetings with
his team. This final step in creative problem-solving is called:
a. wrapping things up.
b. generating ideas.
c. reaching the objective.
d. implementing the solution.
Match the Definitions
8. Critical thinking
9. Inductive reasoning
10. Adversity
a. misfortune, or anything that
poses a difficulty or problem
b. the mental process of
analyzing or evaluating
information
c. a conclusion or an educated
guess that is often based on
real experiences or known
facts
©WIN Learning. All rights reserved.
These documents are proprietary material. Do not distribute or reproduce outside the terms of your license without
written permission from WIN Learning.
3
Thinking Critically
and Solving Problems
Project Based Learning Activity
vs01031201
Thinking Critically and Solving Problems
Project Based Learning Activity
Background Information
Throughout this lesson, you’ve learned the elements of critical thinking and problem solving.
We took an example of a problem and walked through the six steps of creative problem
solving together. Then, you analyzed Tenecia’s problem using the same six steps. Now, it’s
time to apply what you’ve learned to your own situation.
Your Task
As a team, identify a problem, real or fictional, and complete the six steps to creative
problem solving. You will need to come to agreement as a team, then document your
thoughts and actions for each step. Your work should include a detailed implementation
plan.
1. Identify the objective.
2. Gather data.
3. Clarify the problem.
4. Generate ideas.
©WIN Learning. All rights reserved.
These documents are proprietary material. Do not distribute or reproduce outside the terms of your license without
written permission from WIN Learning.
2
Thinking Critically and Solving Problems
Project Based Learning Activity
5. Select a solution.
6. Implement the solution.
Step
Action
1
2
3
4
5
6
©WIN Learning. All rights reserved.
These documents are proprietary material. Do not distribute or reproduce outside the terms of your license without
written permission from WIN Learning.
3