Creative Problem Solving Synectics in Education?Lori Tanner & Cindy Jennings

• If knowledge can create problems, it is not through ignorance that we can solve them.

• Isaac Asimov

• Ultimate solutions to problems are rational, the process of finding them is not

• William Gordon

• Strange words simply puzzle us; ordinary words convey only what we know already. It is from metaphor that we can best get hold of something fresh.

• Aristotle

Synectics-Ahh What?

• syn-ec•tics \ si-'nek-tiks \ noun: • Greek roots : diverse elements together

• A theory or system of problem-stating and problem-solution based on creative thinking that involves free use of metaphor and analogy in informal interchange within a carefully selected group of individuals of diverse personality and areas of specialization.

History of Synectics

• Break off from Arthur D Little (high tech consulting firm) & MIT Inventors on Demand

– William Gordon

– George Prince

• R&D• Problem solving

Gordon’s Assumptions

• Creativity is important in everyday activities

• Process of creating is not mysterious

• Creative invention is the same in all fields

• Creative thinking and invention are similar

• The emotional component of creativity is often more important than the intellectual; the irrational more important than the rational

Blocks to Creativity• One right answer

• Not logical

• Rules

• Practical

• Concise

• A whack on the side of the head!

Creative Problem Solving

• Climate that invites speculative thinking safe from criticism or punishment

• Methodology that stimulates ideas

Task Idea Development

• Creative thinking

Synectics Principles

• Make the strange familiar• Make the familiar strange

Synectics Technology of Brainstorming

• Metaphors

• Analogies

• Compressed conflicts

• Thinking-Outside-The box

Facilitator/Group Dynamics• Facilitator distance from topic/problem

• Hierarchy power issues

• Heterogeneous group

• Environment comfortable

• Irrational, impossible, ridiculous, outrageous, illegal, immoral, insane ALL valued in the process

Basic Steps

1. Describe topic/problem

2. Create direct analogies

3. Describe personal analogies

4. Identify compressed conflicts

5. Create new direct analogy

6. Reexamine original topic/problem

Stretching Exercises

• How is a car like the earth?

• How is a computer keyboard like Jello?

• If the ocean were a sea of professors, what would the foam be?

More Mind Exercise

• What does it feel like to be a 1971 Britannica

Encyclopedia S ?

Come on…Get out of the box!

• Know anyone who is an “exquisite irritant?”

• How is an embargo like “vulnerable protection?”

Challenges

• Process is demanding• Multiple steps• Complicated• Cumbersome• Facilitator may not know the problem before

the brainstorming sessions• Facilitator will not know the resulting

solution(s) or creative ideas

Benefits

• New inventions• Problem is solved• Group commitment to idea• Unique perspectives surface• Creative thinking encouraged