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Problem panic!Does the word 'Problem' give you a headache before you even think about it? In our everyday lives we come across problems. Sometimes they may be big eg. you're on a school trip with your mates and all your money gets stolen, and sometimes they may be small eg. your mum's ironed a crease down the middle of your jeans! Either way, the key skill 'problem solving' will help you to understand what the problem is, planning a solution and checking that the solution worked. This key skill is split into 3 levels, level 1,2 and 3 and here is a brief outlines of the levels. |
In Level 1, you need to confirm problems and identify options. Make sure that
you don't misunderstand the problem in a panic and spend 3 hours finding solutions
to something that isn't even a problem at all! Check everything, ask questions,
come up with ideas for solving it, think about which ideas are most likely to
work.
In Level 2 you will also have to show the main feature of the problems. You
must show how you will be able to know if the problem has been solved and measure
the likely success, by asking others and looking at possible risk factors (which
in english means, looking at things that could go wrong with your plan!)
Level 3 is more complicated and requires more detailed work on the above tasks
such as analysing the features of the problem.
In Level 1, once you've come up with options and you've planned and agreed
a possible solution, you can't just pick up your coat and go out for lunch thinking
everything is fine! You need to check that your solution has worked, or you
could come back with to an even bigger problem. You need to check your methods
and results.
In Level 2, you need to do the above in more detail. You need to be accurate
with your methods, describe the results of the checks you have done, explain
your decisions at each stage and comment on the strengths (things you did well)
and weaknesses (things you can improve on) of your problem solving skills.
Level 3, again requires more detail such as identifying alternative methods
and predicting if they may be more effective at solving your problem.
In Level 1 you need to describe 2 problems and show how they have been solved,
describe different possible solutions and choose some options most likely to
solve the problem and record the help you have been given. You will also need
a statement on how you confirmed your ideas / options and the plans you made.
Finally you will need to describe your results and methods and possible improvements
to your problem solving.
In Level 2, you must identify and describe a problem and describe 2 options
for solving it, plan, record and try out at least one of them. Finally you must
describe your methods, results, checks, strengths and weaknesses and explain
your decisions made.
In Level 3, you need to explore a complex problem and find three options for
solving it and provide more detailed evidence of the general tasks described
above.
This key skill provides you with problem solving skills that help you bite chunks out of a problem, plan and deal with them in the most effective way and to review what you did and look at way of improving your skills for your next problem.
If you would like more information on this key skill, speak to your careers
/ connexions adviser, your tutor or visit your careers / connexions library.
Don't forget to use the useful web links in this article and check the other
key skills articles on this site.
Good Luck
Jennie Glitherow.
General DfES information on Key Skills
http://www.dfes.gov.uk/keyskills/
Key Skills Student Website
http://www.keyskills4u.com/
QCA website
http://www.qca.org.uk/603.html
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