Basic Skills Online - Level 1 - Problem Solving Standards
In this unit your students will apply their problem solving skills. They will be working closely with someone (e.g. a tutor, trainer or supervisor) to show they can:
- confirm their understanding of given problems.
- plan and try out ways of solving problems.
- check if problems have been solved and describe the results.
- Each problem will have only a small number of possible ways to solve it.
- they will work within clear guidelines for deciding which option to try.
- their plan will be straightforward.
- The resources used will be familiar.
- they will follow step-by-step methods to check if the problem has been solved.
In confirming problems and identifying options they must feel confident about being able to:
- work with an appropriate person (e.g. tutor, supervisor) to:
1. check that they are clear about the problem they have been given (e.g. ask questions about what happened, what is already known, what they need to find out, and how the problem affects other people or their work.)
2. check that they know how to show success in solving the problem (e.g. how they will tell if something is working well or a customer is satisfied.)
3. identify different ways of tackling the problem (e.g. look at different parts of the problem and ask others about similar problems that were solved successfully.)
- use help given by others (e.g. tutor, supervisor, workmates) to:
1. identify any limits to what they can do (e.g. to do with resources, health and safety rules and how to avoid making the problem worse.)
2. decide which options are most likely to solve the problem (e.g. narrow down what is possible with the time and the resources they are likely to have and see how much support they can get from others involved.)
This is what they have to do to demonstrate these skills:
- confirm their understanding of the given problem with an appropriate person and identify two options
for solving it.
- check that they are clear about the problem they have been given and how to show success in solving it.
- identify different ways of tackling the problem.
- decide, with help, which options are most likely to be successful.
These are the type of tasks that will produce this evidence:
Problems will be pointed out to them (e.g. by their tutor, trainer or supervisor). However, they will carry
out each step of the process for tackling these problems. If they notice problems yourself, tell an appropriate
person.
It is likely that they will use other key skills when problem solving:
- For example, communication skills when checking that they understand the problem.
- Skills in working with others, application of number and information technology could be helpful
when identifying their options and trying these out.
- they will need to think about the quality of their problem solving skills and check that their
evidence covers all the requirements.
What can they use as evidence?
- descriptions of the two problems and how to show they have been solved
- descriptions of ways for solving the two problems and the options most likely to be successful
- records of the help they were given.
In planning and trying out options they must feel confident about being able to:
- obtain the go-ahead for either their chosen option (e.g. from their supervisor or tutor) or, if necessary,
an alternative option(e.g. a set way of dealing with the problem.)
- plan what they will do (e.g. list tasks in order, identify working methods, work out the time, resources
and help they will need, think about possible difficulties and how to get round them.)
- follow through their plan, making use of advice and support given by others (e.g. to obtain information
or resources or to complete tasks).
This is what they have to do to demonstrate these skills:
- plan and try out at least one option for solving the problem, using advice and support given by others
- confirm with an appropriate person the option they will try for solving the problem
- plan how to carry out this option
- follow through their plan, making use of advice and support given by others.
These are the type of tasks that will produce this evidence:
Problems will be pointed out to them (e.g. by their tutor, trainer or supervisor). However, they will carry
out each step of the process for tackling these problems. If they notice problems yourself, tell an appropriate
person.
It is likely that they will use other key skills when problem solving:
- For example, communication skills when checking that they understand the problem.
- Skills in working with others, application of number and information technology could be helpful when
identifying their options and trying these out.
- they will need to think about the quality of their problem solving skills and check that their evidence
covers all the requirements.
What can they use as evidence?
- statements on how they confirmed the options to be tried out.
- a plan for trying out each option.
- records of what they did in following their plan, with notes on the advice and support they were given.
In checking if problems have been solved they must feel confident about being able to:
- make sure they understand the methods for checking if the problem has been solved (e.g. ask their supervisor
or tutor questions, watch a demonstration.)
- follow these methods, step-by-step, to carry out checks (e.g. test, observe, measure, ask others.)
- describe the results of tackling the problem (e.g. what happened, their opinion about whether the problem
has been solved.)
- identify ways of improving their approach to problem solving (e.g. when finding out about the problem,
planning, following their plan, checking if the problem had been solved.)
This is what they have to do to demonstrate these skills:
- check if the problem has been solved by following given methods and describe the results, including ways
to improve their approach to problem solving.
- check if the problem has been solved by accurately following the methods they have been given.
- describe clearly the results of tackling the problem.
- identify ways of improving their approach to problem solving.
These are the type of tasks that will produce this evidence:
Problems will be pointed out to them (e.g. by their tutor, trainer or supervisor). However, they will carry
out each step of the process for tackling these problems. If they notice problems yourself, tell an appropriate
person.
It is likely that they will use other key skills when problem solving.
