Module 20 Problem Solving and Creativity

Torrance framework for Creative Thinking

A common framework for creative thinking processes is described by Torrance (1979)

Fluency – refers to the production of a great number of ideas or alternate solutions to a problem.

Implies understanding, not just remembering information that is learned.

Flexibility - refers to the production of ideas that show a variety of possibilities or realms of thoughts. It involves the ability to see things from different points of view, to use many different approaches or strategies.

Elaboration – is the process of enhancing ideas by providing more details. Additional detail clarity improves interest in, and understanding of, the topic.

Originality – involves the production of ideas that are unique or unusual. It involves synthesis or putting information about a topic back together in a new way.

Creative Problem Solving

Van Gundy’s ‘6x2 stages’ form or Brandsford’s IDEAL model.

Stage 1: Mess Findings: Sensitive yourself (scan, search) for issues (concerns, challenges, opportunities, etc.) that need to be tackled.

· Divergent Technique –brainstorming to identify desirable outcomes

· Convergent Technique- includes the identification of hot spots

Stage 2: Data findings: Gather information about the problem

· Divergent Technique- includes five Ws and H and listing of wants, sources, and data.

· Convergent Technique- Mind mapping to sort and classify the information gathered.

Stage 3: Problem findings: convert a fuzzy statement of the problem into a broad statement more suitable for idea finding.

· Divergent Technique- techniques include asking ‘why’?

· Convergent Technique – reformulation of problem-statement to meet the criteria that they contain only one problem and no criteria, and selection of the most promising statement

Stage 4: Idea finding: generate as many ideas as possible

· Divergence using any of a very wide range of idea gathering technique. The general rules of Classic Brainstorming (such as deferring judgment) are likely to-pin all of these.

· Convergence can again involve hotspots or mind-mapping, the combining of different ideas, and short-listing of the most promising handful, perhaps with some thought for the more obvious evaluation criteria, but not over-restrictively.

Stage 5: Solution findings: Generate and select obvious evaluation criteria (using an expansion/contraction cycle) and develop (which may include combining) the short listed ideas from Idea Finding as much as you can in the light of these criteria.

Stage 6: Acceptance findings: How can the suggestion you have just selected be made up to standard and put into practice? Shun negatively, and continue to apply deferred judgment- problems are exposed to be solved, not to dishearten progress. Action plans are better develop in small groups of 2-3 rather than a large group. Particularly for people problems it is often worth developing several alternative action plans.

Submitted by: JACIN GENLAN NARAGA

BSED2 SOCIAL STUDIES