LESSON 1.4
PROBLEM SOLVING
THE DESIGN PROCESS
Diagram 1.4:
The Design Process.
Key concepts:
Problem solving, planning and brainstorming. Understanding, and applying the design process.
Diagram 1.4b:
The Longest Line.
Unlike some of your other courses, there isn’t always a right and wrong answer when it comes to design. We will learn to use a process of problem solving that draws heavily on the design process to visualize and compare different pathways to a range of solutions. You almost definitely already use this process unknowingly when making everyday decisions. A delay in TTC service, forgetting your lunch, or deciding what time to set your alarm are all examples of instances you might use this problem solving tool, but to solve bigger, more complex problems it is important to understand how the process works.
In-class activity 1.4: Tallest Tower
The Problem:
For this challenge, you will be creating a tower made out of newspaper and masking tape. Your goal is to use the material provided to construct the “tallest and most aesthetically pleasing free-standing” tower in the class. The group to construct the winning tower in 30 minutes wins. You will be provided a finite, specific amount of paper and tape. No extra supplies will be available. Your final tower must be free-standing.
Your tower will be judged based on the following criteria:
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Height
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Aesthetic quality
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Strength
At the end of 30 minutes, each tower will be tested for strength. To pass the strength test, your structure must be standing at the end of this test.
WIX WEBSITE
Complete the following as a blog on your website.)
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Create a blog entry on your CommTech website that describes today's problem-solving activity.
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Describe your process in point form
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What challenges did you encounter and how did you overcome them?
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Did you build the tallest tower you could? Why or why not?
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How long did you spend planning?
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Did you look at other people’s towers/process?
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If you did, how would that help you?
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Now that the activity is over, if you had to do it again, what would you do differently?
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How does building the tower in this activity make sense in the context of what we might learn in this class?