Attachment: Pass the Problem Activity

FCS FLASH ISSUE Number 98: February 17, 2009
February 20: Rocklin: CCCECE Winter Institute: Technology in Our Teaching
February 21: San Diego: ID Student Career Camp: Hosted by CLCID and NKBAD
March 6: Downey: Student Design Event: "Persuasive Presentations and Communications for the Design Professional"
March 6: Sacramento: CDE/ECE Faculty Initiative Project
March 13-14: San Francisco: Interior Design Student Career Forum at the San Francisco Design Center
March 15-19: Las Vegas: Joint Conference National Council on Aging/American Society on Aging
March 20: Pasadena: CDE/ECE Faculty Initiative Project
March 26-28: Sacramento: CAEYC Conference California Association for the Education of Young Children
April 3: Novato: CDE/ECE Faculty Initiative Project
April 3: Northridge: CCGG (California Council on Gerontology and Geriatrics) Annual Meeting, “It Takes a Village: Toolkits for Effective Practice”
April 17: Downey: Registration Information Now Available : 2009 Culinary Arts and Hospitality Competition
April 22-24: Lake Arrowhead: 2009 Workforce Leaders Institute
April 24: San Diego: CDE/ECE Faculty Initiative Project
September 25-26: Sacramento: CSA Western Region, 2009 Symposium “ Costume in the American West” Call For Papers

FCS News and Views: Melanie Horn Mallers, Cal State Fullerton, addresses some interesting aspects of Autism in “ Systems Theory: Families and Autism ”. While we’ve seen the no shirt, no shoes, no service signs, Roger Gerard, Shasta College, takes a closer look at the restaurant industry’s “ Right to Refuse Service ” policies.  Lisa Ledeboer, Mt San Antonio College, reveals the “ 3-Legged Stool ” philosophy she employs in her Life Management courses. Think balance with ... healthy diet, physical exercise, and adequate rest. Dana Wu Wassmer, Consumnes River College writes about special occasion eating and suggests a few strategies to counteract the calories.   Finally, Pasadena City College has opened a full-time tenure track teaching position in their Fashion Department beginning Fall 2009. All applications are due mid-March.

FCS: Problem Solving and the Brain
As we understand more about the brain and how we learn, we can, in turn, help students become more productive problem solvers and thinkers.  Today’s activity calls on students to do some problem solving by seeking solutions. The brain is more engaged when there is a problem to solve.  In fact, this state of curiosity triggers the brain to make changes in our posture, eye movements, and even releases chemicals advantageous to learning.  In addition, as our brain works to solve problems, it builds additional neuron pathways in the process.  Try this Pass the Problem activity and observe what happens to your students.

 


Do this:
  • Ask When you have a problem, how do you go about solving it? Discuss their responses.
  • Explain that you want them to try a new problem-solving strategy that you think is helpful.
  • Distribute the “Pass the Problem” activity sheet.
  • Review the instructions and give students an appropriate amount of time to complete it.
  • Share what they thought about the activity and how they think they could use it at work and in their personal lives.

FYI: For more great ideas and suggestions, review Einstein’s Amazing Problem Solving Strategies.

This newsletter was brought to you by a grant from the California Community College Chancellor's Office Family and Consumer Science Collaborative Grant (#08-0160).
Please contact Joann Driggers ( jdriggers@mtsac.edu ) with any questions.
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