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Creative Problem Solving Synectics in Education? Lori Tanner & Cindy Jennings

Creative Problem Solving Synectics in Education? Lori Tanner & Cindy Jennings. If knowledge can create problems, it is not through ignorance that we can solve them. Isaac Asimov. Ultimate solutions to problems are rational, the process of finding them is not William Gordon.

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Creative Problem Solving Synectics in Education? Lori Tanner & Cindy Jennings

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  1. Creative Problem Solving Synectics in Education?Lori Tanner & Cindy Jennings

  2. If knowledge can create problems, it is not through ignorance that we can solve them. • Isaac Asimov

  3. Ultimate solutions to problems are rational, the process of finding them is not • William Gordon

  4. Strange words simply puzzle us; ordinary words convey only what we know already. It is from metaphor that we can best get hold of something fresh. • Aristotle

  5. Synectics-Ahh What? • syn-ec•tics \ si-'nek-tiks \ noun: • Greek roots : diverse elements together • A theory or system of problem-stating and problem-solution based on creative thinking that involves free use of metaphor and analogy in informal interchange within a carefully selected group of individuals of diverse personality and areas of specialization.

  6. History of Synectics • Break off from Arthur D Little (high tech consulting firm) & MIT Inventors on Demand • William Gordon • George Prince • R&D • Problem solving

  7. Gordon’s Assumptions • Creativity is important in everyday activities • Process of creating is not mysterious • Creative invention is the same in all fields • Creative thinking and invention are similar

  8. The emotional component of creativity is often more important than the intellectual; the irrational more important than the rational

  9. Blocks to Creativity • One right answer • Not logical • Rules • Practical • Concise • A whack on the side of the head!

  10. Creative Problem Solving • Climate that invites speculative thinking safe from criticism or punishment • Methodology that stimulates ideas Task  Idea  Development • Creative thinking

  11. Synectics Principles • Make the strange familiar • Make the familiar strange

  12. Synectics Technology of Brainstorming • Metaphors • Analogies • Compressed conflicts • Thinking-Outside-The box

  13. Facilitator/Group Dynamics • Facilitator distance from topic/problem • Hierarchy power issues • Heterogeneous group • Environment comfortable • Irrational, impossible, ridiculous, outrageous, illegal, immoral, insane ALL valued in the process

  14. Basic Steps • Describe topic/problem • Create direct analogies • Describe personal analogies • Identify compressed conflicts • Create new direct analogy • Reexamine original topic/problem

  15. Stretching Exercises • How is a car like the earth? • How is a computer keyboard like Jello? • If the ocean were a sea of professors, what would the foam be?

  16. More Mind Exercise • What does it feel like to be a 1971 Britannica Encyclopedia S ?

  17. Come on…Get out of the box! • Know anyone who is an “exquisite irritant?” • How is an embargo like “vulnerable protection?”

  18. Challenges • Process is demanding • Multiple steps • Complicated • Cumbersome • Facilitator may not know the problem before the brainstorming sessions • Facilitator will not know the resulting solution(s) or creative ideas

  19. Benefits • New inventions • Problem is solved • Group commitment to idea • Unique perspectives surface • Creative thinking encouraged

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