Managing Time/Getting Organised
ExL@DCU
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IntroductionAlbert Einstein (1879-1955), physicist, said 'It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer’. Karl Popper (1902-1994), philosopher, was even more expansive when he said: 'All life is prolem-solving'. This is true: we solve problems and make decisions every day. For example, as an independent learner you choose the best strategies to manage and balance your study and personal life; you make decisions in relation to your choice of subjects; you strive to reach consensus in group/team work; you make decisions in relation to your future career, etc. However, some problems and decisions (both academic and personal) can be very challenging and require a lot of thought, emotion and research. When problems are very complex and multi-dimensional
they can lead to confusion, conflict and ultimately a lack of any
action. Problem-solving skills are very useful, and often necessary, in
these situations.
It is important to point out that the guidelines provided in this unit are introductory and generic (in so far as that is possible!). You need to be aware of discipline-specific conventions in this regard. Students in certain disciplines will have exposure to particular forms of problem-solving. All learning skills should ideally be developed within the particular parameters of your discipline(s). As you engage in the university learning experience you will progressively develop knowledge of subject-specific discourse, and through participating in it come to understand its particular conventions. In the meantime, if in doubt, check with your lecturers. Learning objectivesAt the end of this unit you will be able to:
To
begin solving some creative problems: |