Creative Problem Solving 101
Course Overview
Welcome to Creative Problem Solving 101, a comprehensive course designed to teach practical problem-solving skills that are often overlooked in traditional education. This course provides a structured approach to creative problem solving, breaking down complex cognitive skills into learnable components.
Course Structure
This course consists of: - An engaging introduction - 8 core lessons on specific problem-solving subskills - A capstone project that integrates all skills - Comprehensive supplementary materials (checklists, cheat sheets, templates)
The course is designed to be approximately 3 hours in total length (10 lessons of 20 minutes each), written in a conversational, slightly irreverent tone using British English.
How to Use This Course
- Sequential Learning: For best results, work through the lessons in order, starting with the introduction and ending with the capstone project.
- Practical Application: Each lesson includes practical exercises. Don’t skip these - the skills develop through practice, not just reading.
- Supplementary Materials: Use the checklists, reference guides, and templates alongside the lessons to reinforce your learning and apply the techniques to real problems.
- Reference Library: After completing the course, you can use it as a reference library for specific problem-solving techniques as needed.
Course Contents
Introduction
- introduction
Core Lessons
- lesson_1
- lesson_2
- lesson_3
- lesson_4
- lesson_5
- lesson_6
- lesson_7
- lesson_8
Capstone Project
- capstone_lessons
Supplementary Materials
All supplementary materials can be found in the supplementary_materials directory, including:
- Checklists for each problem-solving technique
- Reference Guides for quick consultation
- Templates for applying techniques to your own problems
For a detailed list of all supplementary materials, see the course_contents file.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to: - Break down complex problems to their fundamental elements - Approach challenges from multiple perspectives - Generate innovative solutions using structured techniques - Evaluate options systematically - Develop robust implementation plans - Collaborate effectively on problem-solving teams - Apply an integrated problem-solving process to real-world challenges
About This Course
This course focuses on the practical 80/20 of problem-solving skills - the techniques that provide the greatest value with the least complexity. It’s designed to be accessible to complete beginners while providing substantial value to those with some problem-solving experience.
Enjoy your journey to becoming a more effective and creative problem solver!