Transcript Technological Problem Solving

Technological Problem
Solving
Invention and Innovation
Tech 665
Tom Weber
Technological
Spring 2006
Unit Five
Problem Solving
Problem Solving vs. Design
Problem solving Model
Design Briefs
Creative Brainstorming
Lowphat skateboards
This material is based upon work supported by the
national science foundation under Grant No.
0402616. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or
recommendations expressed in this material are
those of the author(s) and do not necessarily
reflect the views of the National Science Foundation
(NSF).
What is Technological Problem
Solving?
► Describes
a problem as a need which must
be met.
► Desires and wants.
► Opportunities to be taken advantage of.
► New technology gets created in response to
a problem that needs to be solved.
LowPhat Skateboards:
A Problem Solving Story
►
Back in the late 70s, Venice Beach was the place to show off your skateboard.
There wasn’t much in the way of skateboards back in those days so kids were
improvising and making their own. I used to see boards made out of every
imaginable material… fiberglass, wood, Plexiglas, aluminum. Some boards
were decorated but most of them were just functional. I also had my own
board that I made in woodshop class. I needed a board that would handle like
one with flex, but actually was more stable with a lower center of gravity. It
was made of maple, using a four-layer lamination technique.
► I moved to Hawaii, then I noticed that surfboards were getting longer, and I
remembered my old skateboard that had been lost for a long time. I saw that
someone was making longer skateboards, and thought “those would look cool
if they looked like custom surfboards” and the idea was born! So, in the late
80s, I started making my first boards, patterning them after the graphic designs
on custom surfboards.
I was out with a friend one day riding my boards trying to come up with a name
for my fledgling business. I was thinking “this ride is low and wide....low and
wide...low and....” and then my friend said, “man, this ride is phat”. And it just
clicked.
Problem solving and design
What’s the difference?
► Designing
is proactive problem solving.
► Designing can be the refinement of the
original concept.
► Design includes invention and innovation.
► Troubleshooting is reactive problem
solving.
Apple computer
The problem solving model
1. Identify the problem
2. Define the problem (refine)
3. Gather information
4. Develop alternative solutions
5. Select and refine the best solution
6. Express the design. (Sketch or Drawing)
7. Build a model or prototype of the solution
8. Evaluate, revise and refine solution
9. Communicate the solution
PROBLEM SOLVING APPLICATIONS
►
Gibbs Technologies Ltd, the world’s only High Speed
Amphibian (HSA) technology specialist, today unveiled a
prototype of the first commercially viable high-speed
amphibian Quadbike/All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) - Quadski.
Quadski is the third demonstration of Gibbs’ HSA
technology following the successes of the Aquada and the
Humdinga. It is capable of travelling up to 50 mph (72
kph) on land and water and makes the transition at the
flick of a switch.
http://www.aquada.co.uk/
Design Briefs- How do they help with
the problem solving process?
► They
Identify a realistic problem
► They make sure the design has a purpose
► They include specific context and not vague
ideas
► Must be open-ended with a variety of
correct solutions
► Expected results should be clearly identified
Sample Design Brief
Maglev Design Brief
► http://melroseschools.com/mms/tech_ed/bri
efs/design_brief_maglev.htm
►
Marshmallow Problem
www.howtoons.com
Creative Brainstorming
Brainstorming is a method for developing
creative solutions.
It works by focusing on the problem and then
coming up with as many solutions as
possible.
Lego Computer
Roles for Brainstorming
► Leader
– Teacher or student
► Recorder – This person makes sure that all
ideas are recorded accurately and visibly on
a flip chart.
► Team Member – They are the source of
ideas.
►
Driving Technology Education Standards
The standard is followed by the specific grade-level appropriate benchmark.
• Standard 2: Students will develop an understanding of the core concepts of technology.
o [2.R] Requirements are the parameters placed on the development of a product or system.
o [2.T] Different technologies involve different sets of processes.
• Standard 8: Students will develop an understanding of the attributes of design.
o [8.E] Design is a creative planning process that leads to useful products and systems.
o [8.F] There is no perfect design.
o [8.G] Requirements for a design are made up of criteria and constraints.
• Standard 9: Students will develop an understanding of engineering design.
o [9.F]Design involves a set of steps, which can be performed in different sequences and repeated as
needed.
o [9.G]Brainstorming is a group problem-solving design process in which each person in the group
presents his or her ideas in an open forum.
o [9.H]Modeling, testing, evaluating, and modifying are used to transform ideas into practical
solutions.
• Standard 10: Students will develop an understanding of the role of troubleshooting, research and
development, invention and innovation, and experimentation in problem-solving.
o [10.F] Troubleshooting is a problem-solving method used to identify the cause of a malfunction in a
technological system.
o [10.G] Invention is a process of turning ideas and imagination into devices and systems. Innovation
is the process of modifying an existing product or system to improve it.
• Standard 11: Students will develop abilities to apply the design process .
o [11.I] Specify criteria and constraints for the design.
o [11.K] Test and evaluate the design in relation to pre-established requirements, such as criteria and
constraints, and refine as needed.
o [11.L] Make a product or system and document the solution.