CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING: DEFINITION / PROBLEM SOLUTION ESSAY

Creative problem solving is in high demand in the modern world but is it inborn or can it be learnt? First do the test to find out if you are a creative problem solver; then do your research to discover what exactly creative problem solving means and how we can develop the skill.

Take the test:

·         http://psychologytoday.tests.psychtests.com/take_test.php?idRegTest=3201

Reading material to annotate

The first two links will familiarize you with the topic but from then on, you have some serious reading to do.

·        ·         “Creative problem solving” http://www.wright.edu/~scott.williams/LeaderLetter/cps.htm
“A secret to creative problem solving” http://www.entrepreneur.com/blog/223588

·         “Creative problem solving” By: Dr. Don Treffinger http://education.jhu.edu/PD/newhorizons/lifelonglearning/workplace/articles/problem-solving/ 

·          “Creative approaches to problem solving” http://www.sagepub.com/upm-data/32693_Chapter1.pdf
“The basics of creative problem solving” http://www.innovationmanagement.se/imtool-articles/the-basics-of-creative-problem-solving-cps/

BBC Documentary to watch

·         “Horizon: how the creative brain works” http://education.jhu.edu/PD/newhorizons/lifelonglearning/workplace/articles/problem-solving/

    Refer to my second blog, The Essay Archive, for sample essays: https://theessayarchive.blogspot.com.tr/  

THE SECRETS OF THE HUMAN BRAIN

Watch the documentaries, make notes and use your notes to describe how the brain works.

Videos to watch and make notes on

·         “The secrets of the human brain” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPIP18U60Aw

·         Secrets of the brain and the history of mind science”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R26kyIKzSfE

·         “01 The great mysteries of the human brain”  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4A60HFLWSA

·         “Brain tricks: this is how your brain works” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiTz2i4VHFw&list=PLhACxEIgyBcnSJkG0lLQ9HhauKwppizwp

·         “RSA animate – the divided brain” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFs9WO2B8uI&list=PLhACxEIgyBcnSJkG0lLQ9HhauKwppizwp

INTEGRITY AND WORK ETHICS; DEFINITION AND PROBLEM / SOLUTION ESSAY

Integrity in the workplace is becoming a growing source of concern as life becomes ever more competitive and getting to the top becomes ever more difficult. The race means people may cut corners and sacrifice certain principles. Yet this attitude does untold. Do your research and discover the source of the problem then write your essay. Start by introducing the problem and then in your first developmental paragraph, discuss what it means to have integrity and work ethics. When you are done, move on to solutions: how to increase integrity and work ethics and last of all write a restatement.

Take the test:

·         “Integrity and work ethics” http://psychologytoday.tests.psychtests.com/take_test.php?idRegTest=3252

·         “Integrity and work ethics test”

http://www.queendom.com/tests/access_page/index.htm?idRegTest=3089

Reading material to annotate:

·         “Examples of integrity in the workplace” http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/examples-integrity-workplace-1730.html

·         “How to measure work ethics and integrity” http://smallbusiness.chron.com/measure-work-ethics-integrity-17672.html

·         “Work with integrity” https://uwaterloo.ca/hire/work-integrity

·         “Integrity at the workplace” http://www.resolutionsbilling.com/pdf/integrity_in_the_workplace.pdf

If you prefer to have someone read out loud to you go to:

·         “Values in the workplace” http://www.buzzle.com/articles/values-in-the-workplace.html

·         “Ethics in the workplace” http://www.buzzle.com/articles/ethics-in-the-workplace.html

·         “Workplace ethics training” http://www.buzzle.com/articles/workplace-ethics-training.html

·         “Ethical issues in the workplace” http://www.buzzle.com/articles/ethical-issues-in-the-workplace.html

·         Workplace ethics and behavior” http://www.buzzle.com/articles/workplace-ethics.html

Videos to watch and make notes on:

·         “Ethics in the workplace” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmYsDIu2GGc

·         “Giotto SA training: level 1 integrity training” http://vimeo.com/41895846

·         “ 2011 ethics boot camp – inspire integrity” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJ1yC81KCic

      Refer to my second blog, The Essay Archive, for sample essays: https://theessayarchive.blogspot.com.tr/  

URBAN SPRAWL: CAUSE AND EFFECT ESSAY

Urban sprawl is the most common modality of modern cities due to the ever increasing rate of migration from the countryside. Cities spread out in all directions but services suffer: there are many problems with facilities and amenities, economic problems, social problems and personal tragedies. Do your research to get more information about the topic and write a cause and effect essay. In your conclusion, you can suggest solutions; restatements are not the only possible conclusion.

Reading material to annotate

·         “Urban sprawl changes landscape” Make sure to check out the links provided in the text especially “Earthshot”http://www.riverdeep.net/current/2000/04/front.270400.sprawl.jhtml

·         “What are the causes of urban sprawl?” On the left you will see links to every aspect of urban sprawl; study them as well. http://homeguides.sfgate.com/causes-urban-sprawl-2577.html

·         “Urban sprawl: pro and con; in defense of urban sprawl” http://perc.org/articles/urban-sprawl-pro-and-con

·         “Urban sprawl” http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/habitats/urban-sprawl/?rptregcta=reg_free_np&rptregcampaign=20131016_rw_membership_n1p_intl_se_c1#finished  (You will have to register for unlimited access to the site)

·         How do development patterns impact our ecological systems and the livability of our local communities http://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/the-characteristics-causes-and-consequences-of-sprawling-103014747

NEW: If you prefer someone to read out loud to you go to:

·         “Urban sprawl and development” and click “listen in the upper left-hand corner http://www.buzzle.com/articles/urban-sprawl-and-development.html   

·         “Urban sprawl: causes and effects”; click listen in the upper left-hand corner http://www.buzzle.com/articles/urban-sprawl-causes-and-effects.html

Video to watch and make notes on

·         “A song of the city” http://www.ted.com/talks/jaime_lerner_sings_of_the_city
       
        Refer to my second blog, The Essay Archive, for sample essays: https://theessayarchive.blogspot.com.tr/  

ATTENTION SPAN: HOW TO STAY FOCUSED; PROBLEM / SOLUTION ESSAY

With the ever increasing distractions in the modern world, it is becoming ever harder to remain focused. Problems with concentration are becoming endemic in the modern world and they are a big handicap so how is one to deal with the issue? Before you do your research, test yourself to find out if you have issues with concentration too. When you are done, do your research and write a problem solution essay.

Note to the student: this is a relatively easy research related reading into writing activity. It is suggested that you spread your research out over three days reading two texts and watching one video each day. Start with the tests:

Test yourself:

·         Attention span: do you stay focused or zone out?

http://psychologytoday.tests.psychtests.com/take_test.php?idRegTest=3361

·         Concentration and focus test: http://psychologytoday.tests.psychtests.com/take_test.php?idRegTest=1336

Reading material to annotate:

·         “How can I improve my short attention span?” http://lifehacker.com/how-can-i-improve-my-short-attention-span-949006493

·         “How to master your attention span and stay in focus” https://jobmob.co.il/blog/how-to-master-your-attention-span-and-stay-in-focus/

·         “How to stay focused at work” http://greatist.com/happiness/how-stay-focused-work

·         “How to improve your concentration” http://altmedicine.about.com/od/optimumhealthessentials/a/Concentration.htm

·         “10 ways to improve your concentration” http://www.ananda.org/meditation/free-meditation-support/articles/increase-your-concentration/

·         “Improve your concentration” http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newHTE_78.htm

Videos to make notes on

·         “How to boosts your attention span in 30 days” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwnk5t5X_Co

·         “Basic attention discipline technique for concentration and focus” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-R1I55TVas

“Think faster, focus better and remember more: rewiring your brain” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyPrL0cmJRs

Refer to my second blog, The Essay Archive, for sample essays: https://theessayarchive.blogspot.com.tr/  

ANXIETY: PROBLEM SOLUTION ESSAY

Everyone experiences occasions when their stomach ties itself into knots or they think others can hear their heart thumping away but for some people – and quite a lot of people I may add – it is a frequent occurrence and interferes with daily life. Before you research the issue, take the test to see if you have an issue too.

Anxiety test:

·         http://psychologytoday.tests.psychtests.com/take_test.php?idRegTest=1597

Reading material to annotate:

·         “Three core anxieties and how to calm them” http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/science-and-sensibility/201312/three-core-anxieties-and-how-calm-them

·         “Three ways to stop anxiety from coming back” http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/science-and-sensibility/201402/three-ways-stop-anxiety-coming-back

·         “What is anxiety?” http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/anxiety/  You will find three more links on this page: what causes anxiety, the symptoms of anxiety and treatments for anxiety. Read them all.

Podcasts to listen to and make notes on

·         “Moodzone: anxiety control training” http://www.nhs.uk/video/pages/anxiety-control-training-podcast.aspx?searchtype=Tag&searchterm=Mental+health__Moodzone& 

Videos to watch and make notes on

·         “Why do I feel anxious and panicky?”http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/Pages/understanding-panic.aspx

·         Anxiety: hibernate, adapt or migrate: Summer Beretsky at Ted http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8FNcOBkhN4

·         “How your brain can turn anxiety to calmness” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYJdekjiAog

Documentaries

·         “Social anxiety documentary: afraid of people” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmEJEfy5f50

ANGER MANAGEMENT: PROBLEM SOLUTION ESSAY

The difficulty of controlling one’s temper and flying off the handle at the drop of a hat seems to have become endemic in the modern world where everyone is on a short fuse. A fiery temper doesn’t bode well for social relations so how should such people deal with the problem? Before you start your research, take the test to see if you too have issues.

The test on anger management:

·         http://psychologytoday.tests.psychtests.com/take_test.php?idRegTest=3236

Posters to study:

·         http://www.pinterest.com/tpitts/anger-management/  

Anger management: presentation

·         Anger: http://www.slideshare.net/cpnarula/anger-pps

·         Anger management presentations: select from the site

Anger [PDF]

How to Cope With Anger? [PDF] and [PPT]

Wisdom From the Ages Managing Anger [PDF] and [PPT]

Got Anger? [PDF] and [PPT]

Anger Management [PDF] and [PPT]

GMT-Anger Management [PPT]

Managing Anger In The Workplace [PDF]

http://wellnessproposals.com/wellness-library/stress-management/stress-management-presentations/  

Reading material to annotate:

·         “Anger in the age of entitlement” http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/anger-in-the-age-entitlement/201103/anger-management-tips-ten-commandments-anger-regulation

·         “Anger management: what works, what doesn’t” http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/get-psyched/201309/anger-management-what-works-and-what-doesnt

·         “Anger management techniques: why they fail” http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/anger-in-the-age-entitlement/200910/anger-management-techniques-why-they-fail

·         “Pathway to Happiness”; look to the left to see the titles and read all the posts under anger management. http://www.pathwaytohappiness.com/anger/anger-management.htm

Movie to watch and draw on:

·         “Anger management” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjlT_2MYCbM