(Podcast) Thinking Skills and Problem Solving

Episode 1 presents alternative conceptual approaches to define a problem and introduces both the process and stages involved in problem solving. The importance of goal setting and the generation of the right questions to ask when faced with a problem is also discussed. It also introduces root cause analysis and constraints faced in problem solving. The topic concludes by defining solution and introducing the stop it and mop it approach in problem solving.

Episode 2 introduces the major antecedents in the science of psychology and psychology of thinking. It also elaborates on the research carried out on concepts, problem solving and reasoning. The topic concludes by describing the transition to the cognitive era.

Episode 3 discusses how to identify reasons and conclusions, examples of reasoning, language of reasoning, the thinking map of understanding and evaluating reasoning, the acceptability of reasons, judging acceptability of claims, judging the credibility of sources, evaluating inferences and deductive validity.

Episode 4 introduces the development of problem solving that includes strategic development, representational development and self-regulation development. It also presents the various theories, models and conceptual framework in problem solving. The topic concludes by describing the stepwise conception of problem solving.

Episode 5 discusses the definition and importance of thinking, ways to increase thinking power, the two phases of the thinking process and the roles and functions of the right and left parts of the brain.

Episode 6 discusses the critical thinking process which includes its characteristics, examples, barriers and importance. It also describes the creative thinking process, its characteristics and how to apply creativity to problems and issues. The topic concludes by describing lateral thinking and the crossover between the right and left brain.

Episode 7 presents both the employment of different strategies on its own and combination of strategies in problems solving. It also introduces other concepts such as consideration of analogous problems, specialisation and generalisation and consideration of extreme cases.

Episode 8 introduces common tools and techniques used in the process of problem solving.