Course Activity

Week 1
Topic 1: Problem Solving
1. What is a Problem?
2. What is Problem Solving?
3. Importance of Goals in Problem Solving
4. General Guidelines for Problem Solving
5. Root Cause Analysis

Topic

6. Constraints
7. What is a Solution?
8. Identifying Possible Solutions
9. Planning the Solution
10.Taking Responsibility
1. Define what a problem is;
2. Describe how a problem can present an opportunity for improvement;
3. Explain the four stages involved in the process of problem solving;
Learning Outcomes

4. Explain the importance of goal setting in the problem solving process;

5. Describe the general guidelines to effective problem solving;
6. Identify the role of Root Cause Analysis (RCA) technique in the problem solving
process;
7. Identify the common constraints faced in the problem solving process; and
8. Compare the different approaches to problem solving.

Learning Resources

No
1

1. iLecture
2. Module (Print )

Activity Name
Reading Activity: Read Module - Topic 1
Write a brief reflection on the readings citing any particular point of interest, and/or any questions that
surfaced from the reading activity. Learners are encouraged to post reflections and/or questions related to
readings in the forum.

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

Our Malaysian government sometimes does face budgetary and judiciary problems.
Discuss the above statement and provide a few real life scenarios that you do come across in the daily
newspapers.

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

Tools such as Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Impact Analysis and Kaizen are frequently used.
Discuss the basic principles of these tools in problem solving.

Online Activity: Practice Self Tests Questions

To test your understanding, you can try and answer the Self-Assessment questions at the end of Chapter 1
in the module.

Week 2

TOPIC 2: Identifying Reasons and Conclusions

1. Deciding when Reasoning is Present
2. Examples of Reasoning
3. Language of Reasoning
4. Thinking Map for Understanding and Evaluating Reasoning

Topic

5. Acceptability of Reasons
6. Judging Acceptability of a Claim
7. Judging Credibility of Sources
8. Evaluating Inferences

Learning Outcomes

Learning Resources

No
1

1.

Determine if reasoning is present in an argument;

2.

Identify words used in language of reasoning;

3.

Use the Thinking Map to analyse and evaluate arguments;

4.

Apply tests to evaluate the validity and acceptability of claims; and

5.

Identify assumptions and evaluate inferences in an argument.

1. iLecture
2. Module (Print )

Activity Name
Reading Activity: Read Module - Topic 3
Write a brief reflection on the readings citing any particular point of interest, and/or any questions that
surfaced from the reading activity. Learners are encouraged to post reflections and/or questions related to
readings in the forum.

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

Ponder on certain examples such as the news channels like BBC and Al-Jazeera and identify the areas in
which they have a well-justified reputation for reliability and in areas that they do not.

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

Women generally have lower blood pressure and slower heart beats than men. Therefore, women on
average, live longer than men.
Apply the test to decide whether the above argument is deductively valid or invalid.

Online Activity: Practice Self Tests Questions

To test your understanding, you can try and answer the Self-Assessment questions at the end of Chapter 3
in the module.

Week 3
Topic 3: Development of Problem Solving

Topic

The Development of Problem Solving

Learning Outcome

1.

Explain what is meant by strategic development in problem solving;

2.

Describe representational development in problem solving;

3.

Explain the use of external representations as tools for problem solving;

4.

Describe the role of language and planning in problem solving;

5.

Identify the various specialized representations employed in problem solving;

6.

Explain the role of interaction in problem solving;

7.

Describe the importance of self-monitoring in problem solving; and

8.

Compare and contracts the problem-solving abilities between children and

adolescents.

Learning Resources

1. iLecture
2. Module (Print )

No
1

Activity Name
Reading Activity: Read Module - Topic 4
Write a brief reflection on the readings citing any particular point of interest, and/or any questions that
surfaced from the reading activity. Learners are encouraged to post reflections and/or questions related to
readings in the forum.

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

Siegler (1976) adopted the balance-scale paradigm to test whether childrens behavior on the task is best
described by the use of rules. He used six item types: balance, weight, distance, conflict-weight, conflictdistance, and conflict-balance. Make an internet search to explain the meaning and significance of each of
these items.

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

Scaffolding is actually a bridge used to build upon what students already know to arrive at something they
do not know. If scaffolding is properly administered, it will act as an enabler, not as a disabler.
Discuss the above statement.

Online Activity: Practice Self Tests Questions

To test your understanding, you can try and answer the Self-Assessment questions at the end of Chapter 4
in the module.

Week 4
Topic 4: Thinking Skills
Topic

1. Definition of Thinking

2. Importance of Thinking
3. Increasing Thinking Power
-Production Phase
-Judgement Phase
4. Roles and Functions of the Right and Left Brain

Learning Outcome

Learning Resources

1.

Define thinking;

2.

Explain the different thinking styles;

3.

Distinguish key elements between a good and a poor thinker;

4.

Describe the importance of thinking;

5.

Compare the two phases in the thinking process; and

6.

Describe the functions and roles of the right and left brain.

1. iLecture
2. Module (Print )

No
1

Activity Name
Reading Activity: Read Module - Topic 5
Write a brief reflection on the readings citing any particular point of interest, and/or any questions that
surfaced from the reading activity. Learners are encouraged to post reflections and/or questions related to
readings in the forum.

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

Thinking is an activity that is carried out only in the conscious state.
Do you agree with the statement given? Discuss as to whether thinking can be carried out in a subconscious or non-con-conscious state providing relevant examples.

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

In solving a particular problem, discuss the approach of both the left and right brain. In addition, state the
functions of both the right and left brain in carrying out daily activities.

Online Activity: Practice Self Tests Questions

To test your understanding, you can try and answer the Self-Assessment questions at the end of Chapter 5
in the module.

Week 5
Topic 5: Critical and Creative Thinking
Topic
1. Critical Thinking
2. Creative Thinking

3. Lateral Thinking
4. Right and Left Brain Crossover

Learning Outcome

Learning Resources

No
1

1.

Define critical, creative and lateral thinking;

2.

Explain the characteristics of critical and creative thinking;

3.

Give examples of critical thinking and creative thinking respectively;

4.

Describe the barriers of critical thinking;

5.

Identify the application of creative thinking in problem solving;

6.

Describe the six techniques of lateral thinking and;

7.

Describe right and left brain crossover.

1. iLecture
2. Module (Print )

Activity Name
Reading Activity: Read Module - Topic 6
Write a brief reflection on the readings citing any particular point of interest, and/or any questions that
surfaced from the reading activity. Learners are encouraged to post reflections and/or questions related to
readings in the forum.

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

Compare and contrast in detail the differences between critical thinking and creative thinking.

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

The current education system in Malaysia emphasises on examinations. Does this place more importance
on the right or left brain? Suggest ways in which the above scenario can be improved to that where the
students live their lives with a strong right and left brain crossover.

Online Activity: Practice Self Tests Questions

To test your understanding, you can try and answer the Self-Assessment questions at the end of Chapter 6
in the module.

Week 6
Topic 6: Problem Solving Strategies
1. Conceptualisation in Problem Solving
Topic

2. Problem Solving Strategies

3.

Other Problem Solving Strategies

Learning Outcome

1.

Describe how problem solving can be conceptualised;

2.

describe the problem decomposition or sub-goaling approach in problem solving;

3.

Explain the working backwards and hill climbing approach in problem solving;

4.

Describe the means-end analysis and forward chaining strategies in problem

5.

solving;

6.

Describe the other problem solving methods such as use of analogy, specialisation
and generalisation; and

7.
Learning Resources

No
1

Explain the use of extreme cases method for problem solving.

1. iLecture
2. Module (Print )

Activity Name
Reading Activity: Read Module - Topic 7
Write a brief reflection on the readings citing any particular point of interest, and/or any questions that
surfaced from the reading activity. Learners are encouraged to post reflections and/or questions related to
readings in the forum.

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

Pick a problem solving tool of your choice and provide a scenario in which it can be employed.

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

An individual needs to take a child to school but the car will not start because its battery is no longer
working. The individual begins by trying to eliminate the biggest difference in the problem space, the
distance between home and school. Using means-end analysis to solve the problem, state the two main
actions can be taken to reduce the distance between the current state and goal.

Online Activity: Practice Self Tests Questions

To test your understanding, you can try and answer the Self-Assessment questions at the end of Chapter 7
in the module.

Week 7
Topic 7: Problem Solving Tools
Topic
4. Brainstorming
5. Benchmarking
6. Cause and Effect Diagram
7. Flow Charts

8. SWOT Analysis
9. Prioritisation Matrix
1.

List the most common tools used in problem solving;

2.

Describe brainstorming, benchmarking, cause and effect diagrams, flow

charts,

Learning Outcome

Learning Resources

No
1

3.

SWOT analysis and prioritization matrix as problem solving tools;

4.

Identify when and how each problem solving tool is used; and

5.

Apply appropriate tools effectively to problems you may encounter.

3. iLecture
4. Module (Print )

Activity Name
Reading Activity: Read Module - Topic 8
Write a brief reflection on the readings citing any particular point of interest, and/or any questions that
surfaced from the reading activity. Learners are encouraged to post reflections and/or questions related to
readings in the forum.

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

Discuss in detail the pros and cons of the brainstorming technique.

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

Based on data of the National Registration Department, a total of 6,820 pregnancies and births involving
girls below 16 were recorded between 2000 and Oct 9 2012 in Malaysia. Use the fishbone diagram to
identify the root causes of the problem under the categories of human values, school curriculum, teachers
training and participation of non-governmental organisations.

Online Activity: Practice Self Tests Questions

To test your understanding, you can try and answer the Self-Assessment questions at the end of Chapter 8
in the module.

Week 8
Topic 8: Decision Making
Topic
1. What is Decision Making?
2. Types of Decisions
3. Decision making is a Recursive Process
4. Factors Influencing Decision Making Process
5. Four Quadrants of the Brain and Our Different Thinking Styles

6. Decision Making in Everyday Life

7. Evidence-Driven Decision Making Cycle
8. Effects on Quantity on Decision Making
9. Decision Streams
10. Decision Quality
1.

Define decision making;

2.

List the different kinds of decisions and the afctors that influence the decision
making process;

Learning Outcome

3.

Describe the Four Quadrants of the Brain thory and how it relates to our ability to
make decisions;

Learning Resources

No
1

4.

Explain and work through the evidence-driven decision making cycle; and

5.

Explain the different approaches to decision making.

1. iLecture
2. Module (Print )

Activity Name
Reading Activity: Read Module - Topic 8
Write a brief reflection on the readings citing any particular point of interest, and/or any questions that
surfaced from the reading activity. Learners are encouraged to post reflections and/or questions related to
readings in the forum.

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

Mr. Mark has been diagnosed with stage IV stomach cancer. The oncologists plan to carry out a CT scan
before making the decision on the type of treatment which include either radiotherapy alone, combination of
radiotherapy and chemotherapy or a combination of all three modalities of treatment. The decision will be
based on the extent of how much the tumour has spread from the initial site, the stomach. Describe the
circumstances under which category of the oncologists decision will be: a decision whether, a decision
which or a contingent decision.

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

Suppose you want to buy a new hand phone. List your reasons for choosing that particular hand phone, and
not some other hand phone. Based on the reasons for your decision, identify your thinking type according to
the HBDI model.

Online Activity: Practice Self Tests Questions

To test your understanding, you can try and answer the Self-Assessment questions at the end of Chapter 9
in the module.