Check out my Presentation on Problem Solving!

1. C I A R A O ’ D O N N E L L
Problem Solving
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2. What is Problem Solving?
Problem solving is defined as being ‘‘cognitive
processing directed at achieving a goal when no
solution method is obvious to the problem solver”
(Mayer & Wittrock, 2006, p. 287).

3. My View of Problem Solving
Prior to beginning my internship, I believed that
problem solving was a key skill for any individual to
possess as problems can arise within any given
situation and in order to move forward, one must
think of ways in which a solution can be found. I
believe that I significantly improved my ability to
come up with creative solutions to problems through
the many group projects that I have taken part in as
part of the BSc in Education studies course.

4. Image source: http://www.picturequotes.com/creativity-can-solve-
almost-any-problem-quote-215184

5. Before I began my Internship
While I have always understood the importance of
being capable of finding creative and useful solutions
to complex problems, I was unsure of my ability to
use my problem solving capabilities prior to
beginning my internship. This was primarily due to
the fact that I worried that my knowledge on the
topic of education policy was limited to what I had
learned throughout the BSc in Education course.

6. Examples of when I solved Problems
However, during the course of my internship, there
were many occasions in which I felt as though I
solved problems. For example;

7. Example No.1
For a period of time, I was unable to progress the
‘Student Enterprise in the Curriculum Award’ due to
difficulties with the family that established the award
in the name of their forefather. This was primarily
due to their dissatisfaction with the awards being
renamed.

8. Example No.1
I believe that I showed problem solving competency
when I suggested that when promoting and
advertising the new award system, we could make
reference to their forefather as an example of an
Irish political leader who emphasised the importance
and value of enterprise in education. This was
articulated to the family and I was permitted to begin
working on the awards shortly thereafter.

9. Albert Einstein on Problem Solving
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10. Example No.2
As part of the Department of Education and Skills
action plan for 2017, a number of health policy
initiatives such as ‘Healthy Ireland’, ‘National Carer’s
strategy’ etc. involved close engagement with the
Department of Health. I had to gather data regarding
what various units were doing in order to ensure that
the 6 health initiatives were successful.

11. Example No.2
I believe that I displayed problem solving capabilities
when I decided to distribute the work between the
relevant units. As this was a large and complex task,
this approach would ensure that the document could
be completed in a timely manner and would include
all relevant information. I asked each unit to provide
information that would explain what their respective
units were doing in order to relation to the six health
policy initiatives.

12. Problem Solving
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13. Example No.3
While coordinating the aforementioned
interdepartmental response between the Department
of Education and Skills (DES) and the Department of
Health (DOH), I requested that the Central Policy
Unit (CPU) provide data relating to bullying for the
mental health section of the document. This was
because they had previously developed an anti-
bullying strategy.

14. Example No.3
However, they were hesitant to partake in the
response as they had not consulted the department
of health (DOH) when drafting these strategies and
felt that taking part in the response could potentially
undervalue the work of CPU staff. I believe that I
displayed problem solving capabilities when I
assured them that it would be made clear that this
work was undertaken solely by the CPU.

15. Mind Maps
As part of the module ‘‘Organisation Skills and
Learning’’ this year, the concept of ‘mind mapping’
was discussed. I began utilising mind maps when I
was a child and continue the practice today when
attempting to formulate new and creative ideas.
Mind Maps allow individuals to engage their
problem solving capabilities. This concept puts forth
the idea that the human brain processes visual
information at a much faster rate than it does text.

16. An Example of a Mind Map
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17. Mind Maps
There were many instances throughout my
internship in which I drew a mind map to allow me
to develop a coherent plan and to aid me in
developing new and dynamic ideas. For instance,
when developing the marking scheme for the
‘Student Enterprise in the Curriculum Award’, I
created several mind maps.

18. My view on Problem Solving Now
I now have an even greater appreciation for how
important problem solving capabilities are in the
workplace. I can attest to the fact that projects rarely
run exactly to plan and problems, both minor and
major, do arise. For this reason, it is my belief that
the ability to solve problems is a key skill in the
modern work environment.

19. A Final Thought
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20. Reference List
Buzan, T. (2005). Ultimate Book of Mind Maps.
London: Thorsons Publishers.
Mayer, R. E., & Wittrock, R. C. (2006). Handbook of
educational psychology. (P. A. Alexander, & P. H.
Winne, Eds.) New Jersey: Erlbaum