Problem Solving

Problem solving consists of applying the skills, attitudes, and behaviours needed to effectively generate and implement ideas to address a need or challenge. A problem-solver is resilient, makes decisions, and employs creativity, flexibility, and critical thinking to deliver solutions.

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Each core competency is divided into three levels:

Involved students know the indicator or the criteria for demonstrating it. They can talk about it, write about it, describe it or explain it.
Engaged students can perform or demonstrate the indicator or criteria; that is, they can do it.
Leading students are innovating, extending, transforming, showing initiative, integrating, or collaborating.

Below are indicators and examples of competency at each level.

Involved-level Competency

Competency Indicators

How might someone demonstrate this competency?

Asks questions to identify the information available in a situation
Recognizes the need for innovative problem-solving strategies
Predicts that alternative consequences and setbacks may occur
Describes the value of examining similar problems that have occurred and how they were solved
Defines creative ideas and outside-the-box thinking

Examples

What are some specific ways this competency might be demonstrated?

Asks if there are composting bins on campus and where they are
Emails the student association to propose looking for a solution to the lack for composting on campus
Talks to a friend about whether budget and convenience might be barriers
Asks when and how the recycling bins on campus were implemented
Calls a meeting to discuss brainstorming

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Engaged-level Competency

Competency Indicators

How might someone demonstrate this competency?

Summarizes the known information in a situation
Analyzes problem-solving strategies for viability, feasibility, and desirability
Recognizes that setbacks require resilience and can lead to growth
Investigates what has and has not worked with similar problems in the past
Explains how to generate creative ideas to solve problems individually or through collaboration

Examples

What are some specific ways this competency might be demonstrated?

Collects information about composting and campus services
Creates an online discussion to evaluate the pros and cons of various options
Tells the group that even though some ideas may not work, they may lead to better solutions
Investigates composting programs at other post-secondary institutions
Tells the group how to use whiteboards to collect their thoughts and ideas

Leading-level Competency

Competency Indicators

How might someone demonstrate this competency?

Explains available information and represents it in alternative ways
Implements the most viable problem-solving strategy after analyzing alternative options
Responds to setbacks by creating original solutions
Hypothesizes a solution based on what has worked with similar challenges
Generates creative ideas to solve problems individually and through collaboration

Examples

What are some specific ways this competency might be demonstrated?

Uses collected data to create an infographic or other representation to explain the issue
Forms a task team to implement an action plan for a pilot program
Organizes a fundraiser when there is no budget for a composting program
Creates a comparison of ideas in Excel and chooses which attributes to apply to the current project or idea
Uses a combination of online surveys and whiteboard sessions to create ideas