Problem Solving in Science, Design, and Education

Strategies for Problem Solving:
Using Creativity and Critical Thinking
in Science, Design, and Education

update: For most pages in this old website (it's from the late '90s), newer versions are available (they're more highly developed and revised) in my website about Using Design Process for Problem Solving and Education which contains a links-page about my dissertation work.

In every area of life, creativity and critical thinking are essential. These mutually supportive skills are intimately integrated in the problem-solving methods used in a wide range of design fields -- such as engineering, architecture, medicine, mathematics, music, art, literature, philosophy, history, business, athletics, law, and science -- where the goal is to design products, strategies, or theories.

Who is this website designed for?
It is for problem solvers, for everyone who looks at any area of life and asks, "Could we make it better?" When viewed with a constructive attitude, a problem is an opportunity for improvement. Whenever you are thinking and acting in ways that improve life, you are actively involved in problem solving.
It is for anyone who enjoys the art of thinking.
It is for learners and teachers. This includes you, since each of us is a learner, a self-teacher, and a teacher of others. Hopefully, we can help ourselves and others "learn from experience" more enthusiastically and effectively, so we can participate more fully in the exciting adventure of life.

Much of this website is based on my PhD dissertation, which is a synthesis of ideas (mainly from scientists and philosophers, but also from sociologists, psychologists, historians, and myself) about scientific method. In a long process involving multiple revisions, these ideas have been changed and rearranged, summarized and colorized, and extended from science into other areas of life.

For almost all pages in this website, a newer version is available at
http://www.asa3.org/ASA/education/learn/tour.htm#i
http://www.asa3.org/ASA/education/think/sde.htm

What's Next?
To begin your exploration of the website, I suggest visiting one or more of the following pages. The first five are intended to introduce major ideas, and to serve as introductions for other pages.

SEARCHING FOR INSIGHT. The master skill of "learning how to learn" by searching for insight is illustrated by true stories: how I didn't learn to ski (by learning from mistakes) and why employers hired an unconventional worker.

AESOP'S ACTIVITIES. A creative goal-directed coordinating of activities and methods can motivate students, give them educationally valuable experience, and help them learn from their experience by showing them how (and why) to ask, "What can I learn now that will help me in the future?"

INTRODUCTION TO DESIGN. What is a problem? Are you a designer? Is there a "method" for design? for science? What are the similarities and differences between design and science?

PROBLEM SOLVING IN EDUCATION. How can a Design Method help students learn Scientific Method? How can a "wide spiral" curriculum, with coordination within and between courses, help students learn thinking skills?

SHOULD SCIENTIFIC METHOD BE X-RATED? Wild controversies and hot debates! Are some views of science dangerous for students? Can too much of a good thing be harmful? Do scientists seek truth? Do they claim proof? Do they create reality? How can we avoid running away (or being carried away) to silly extremes?

WHAT'S NEW? This website is currently undergoing rapid reconstruction. So you'll know what's happening, I'll post frequent updates in a page about "what is new" that explains the revisions and additions as they occur.

SITEMAP. An overview in two parts, visual and verbal: maps that let you see the website structure, and a description of every page so you can decide which page you want to visit next. { a link to this sitemap appears at the top of the left frame and the bottom of every page }

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: an informal summary of myself.

Here is some useful information (about saving time, a no-frames option, and a "tips" page) plus a copyright notice, the URL, and my e-mail address:

No Surprises
Will a link keep you inside the page you're reading, or take you to another page or another website? So you'll know, so you can decide where you want to go and when, all pages in this website use the same format: 1) near the beginning of each page there is a pseudo-link that does not move you anywhere, but does prevent time-wasting reloads of the page when using your browser's BACK-button; 2) after you click this pseudo-link, every link in the body of the page will be fast because it keeps you inside the page; only the CAPITALIZED links at the end of a page will move you to another page.

An Option: with or without frames?
While you're exploring my website, I think it will be useful to have the left frame available for easy navigation. But I also think that you should decide. Therefore, the bottom of this page provides two links that will let you change the website format from frames to no-frames, and back again.

And there will be a page with TIPS for using this website. {available in March 2001}

the URL of this home-page is
https://educationforproblemsolving.net/methods/index.htm (with frames), or
https://educationforproblemsolving.net/methods/home.htm (without frames)

for almost all pages in this website, a newer version is available at
http://www.asa3.org/ASA/education/learn/tour.htm#i

Comments? If you have interesting ideas about science or design,
education or websites, please contact me: craigru178@yahoo.com
craigru178@yahoo.com

You can choose to view this website
WITH FRAMES (which I recommend) or
WITHOUT FRAMES (to get more viewing space)

SITEMAP (with maps, descriptions, links)