Thinking Skills and Problem Solving
INTRODUCTION
When it comes to problem solving, decision making was a critical event for a better results and solution. Decision making is defined as the important tools on deciding of which way to counter problems. Decision making is the act of deciding; determination, as of a question or doubt, by making a judgment; the act of or need for making up one’s mind (http://english.stackexchange.com). Another definition of decision making was defined as something that is decided; resolution; a judgment, as one formally pronounced by a court; the final score in any sport or contest (ref: http://dictionarry .reference.com). The decision making is important as it has been used as a tool of recursive process. Where in the course guide once again stated that we make decisions by moving back and forth repeatedly between the alternatives we have which are determined by certain criteria. Therefore, decision making is not a linear process. Therefore, it is important to select the best tools and methods when handling problems. Problem solving usually will act as tool that help making decision easier. From OUM course guide (SBFS1103-Thinking Skills and Problem Solving), there are four stages in solving problems. But before that, let me explain what problem solving are. Problem solving is a series of techniques, both cognitive and behavioral, that can be applied in various fields or areas to generate solutions. As suggested by Woods (1975) and colleagues, problem solving was the process of obtaining a satisfactory solution to a novel problem, or at least a problem which the problem solver has not seen before. Now, what are the four stages of problem solving stated in OUM course guide? Those stages are:
1) The recognizing and defining a problem - A problem can only be solved when its existence is recognized. However, in certain situations, a problem is only recognized when it becomes a serious matter. After recognizing a problem, the next action will be to thoroughly define it.
When it comes to problem solving, decision making was a critical event for a better results and solution. Decision making is defined as the important tools on deciding of which way to counter problems. Decision making is the act of deciding; determination, as of a question or doubt, by making a judgment; the act of or need for making up one’s mind (http://english.stackexchange.com). Another definition of decision making was defined as something that is decided; resolution; a judgment, as one formally pronounced by a court; the final score in any sport or contest (ref: http://dictionarry .reference.com). The decision making is important as it has been used as a tool of recursive process. Where in the course guide once again stated that we make decisions by moving back and forth repeatedly between the alternatives we have which are determined by certain criteria. Therefore, decision making is not a linear process. Therefore, it is important to select the best tools and methods when handling problems. Problem solving usually will act as tool that help making decision easier. From OUM course guide (SBFS1103-Thinking Skills and Problem Solving), there are four stages in solving problems. But before that, let me explain what problem solving are. Problem solving is a series of techniques, both cognitive and behavioral, that can be applied in various fields or areas to generate solutions. As suggested by Woods (1975) and colleagues, problem solving was the process of obtaining a satisfactory solution to a novel problem, or at least a problem which the problem solver has not seen before. Now, what are the four stages of problem solving stated in OUM course guide? Those stages are:
1) The recognizing and defining a problem - A problem can only be solved when its existence is recognized. However, in certain situations, a problem is only recognized when it becomes a serious matter. After recognizing a problem, the next action will be to thoroughly define it.
References: - http://english.stackexchange.com - http://dictionarry.reference.com - Dr Haresh Kumar Kantilal (2011). OUM Course Guide, Thinking Skills and Problem Solving, Meteor Doc SDN BHD.