When
faced with a problem, what do you do to solve it? There are many ways
to approach a problem. In this first Case Assignment, you will apply
basic research and word processing skills to write a brief review of
problem-solving techniques found in an Internet search.
There are multiple elements to this Case Assignment. Please make sure that you follow the requirements very carefully and double-check your work against the requirements before uploading.
****Please note: Microsoft Word products are available for free to Trident students through your web-based student email. You can access your student email through the TLC portal by clicking on the envelope icon in the upper right-hand corner of the TLC portal page.********
This assignment is designed to help you develop an understanding of how to conduct Internet research and evaluate the quality of the research. You will also develop Microsoft Word skills, and for the Mac user – Word for Mac.
Assignment Instructions:
STEP 1: Before you begin your search, review the Trident Writing Style Guide, located on the Trident TLC Home page:

Skim the entire document, and focus your reading on pages 16-18. When looking for references on the Internet, review the questions posed under “Identifying Credible and Reliable Sources” before using any Internet sources for this and all of your assignments requiring research. If you can answer all of the questions posed positively when looking at a particular site, then you can be pretty sure you have located a good reference; if it doesn’t measure up one way or another, it’s probably a site to avoid. The key to the whole process is to think critically about what you find on the Internet; if you want to use it, you are responsible for ensuring that it is reliable and accurate.
STEP 2: Review and bookmark the following websites for Word tutorials:
Word 2013 training courses, videos and tutorials:
https://tinyurl.com/k5c4t88
Word 2010 training courses, videos and tutorials:
https://tinyurl.com/oqzhto4
Word for Mac Training:
https://tinyurl.com/k3vwfj7
STEP 3: Write a 2- to 3-page paper reviewing how you researched Problem Solving using the Internet. Find two websites on Problem Solving to use in writing your paper. Using Dr. Timothy Mullen’s Trident University Writing Style Guide, determine the reliability and validity of the two websites on Problem Solving.
Mullen, Timothy. 2014. Trident University Writing Guide. Accessed on July 28, 2015 at https://mytlc.trident.edu/index.php
Your paper should discuss the following:
STEP 4: Format your paper to the Assignment Expectations below.
Format your paper using the following parameters:
When
faced with a problem, what do you do to solve it? In this SLP
assignment you will apply a systematic approach to problem solving. SLP
1 is divided into two (2) parts. In Part I, of the
assignment, you will read three (3) articles that present variations on
step-by-step problem solving strategies and then select one (1) of these
strategies; you will engage in pre-writing to develop a solution to a
problem scenario. In Part II of the assignment, you will present a synthesis of your ideas about solving the problem. As Voltaire said, “No problem can withstand the assault of sustained thinking.”
There are multiple elements to this SLP. Please make sure that you follow the requirements very carefully and double-check your work against the requirements before uploading.
Part I
Preparation and Pre-writing: Follow the steps below to explore a problem through reading and writing –
1. Choose one (1) of the problem scenarios as a topic choice for your paper
Scenario 1: You have worked at your company for eleven (11) years. You have returned to college to earn a Bachelor’s degree in order to increase your chances for a promotion. You are nearly finished with your degree; a supervisor’s position in a competing company becomes available in another state. The start date is in two (2) weeks, during your final exam period for your courses. The position offers a $15,000 per year salary increase, a car allowance, and relocation expenses. Your former supervisor works for the company and is recommending you for the position based on your outstanding job performance; if you want the job, it’s yours. All of the other supervisors at this level in the company have Master’s degrees. You know that you would be expected to earn your Bachelor’s degree and continue on to a Master’s degree. Your present company offers tuition reimbursement, but the new company does not.
Scenario 2: Your child comes home from school with an assignment sheet for a school project. He / she is very excited about the project and begins work immediately, doing research on the Internet and gathering materials. You read over the assignment sheet and notice that your child is not including all of the required items in the project, and you have some ideas for how to improve the quality of the presentation. You recently read an article in a parenting magazine about the importance of a child developing responsibility for his / her own learning. You recall the many ways in which your parents took over your school projects. You, on the other hand, want to encourage your child’s confidence in his / her ability to complete a project independently. The next day, you are at the grocery store when you see a parent of a student in your child’s class. That parent has spent over $30 in supplies for the science project and is taking a day off of work to put the pieces of the project together.
Scenario 3: You have two jobs—one during the week from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, and one on Saturday from 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm. You are taking two classes—one that meets from 6:00 to 10:00 pm, and one class online. You have two kids—one who plays soccer, and one who is in band. You have two elderly parents who no longer drive. You have two siblings—one who lives two (2) miles away, and one who lives in another state. You have two (2) papers due in your classes the same week that one (1) of your children has a soccer tournament, and the other child has a band concert. You are coaching the soccer team, and you are in charge of fundraising for the band. You have a goal to complete your degree in two (2) years. Your doctor tells you that your blood pressure, your cholesterol, and your weight are too high and recommends several medications that cost you nearly $200 per month after your insurance co-pay.
Scenario 4: You are a sales representative for a company that encourages staff to log time in the field and away from the office. You are expected to begin and end your day at the office. You notice that each day when you arrive and return another co-worker is already there, and you wonder whether this person spends most of his / her time at the office. At your weekly sales meeting, you are informed of your co-workers’ outstanding sales performance. You suspect that this co-worker is spending more time flattering the boss instead of working leads in the field, and as a result is getting the best client referrals. Your own sales numbers have steadily decreased since this other sales representative was hired.
2. Read the following articles:
3. Select one (1) of the step-by-step problem solving strategies outlined in one (1) of the articles. Using the chosen problem solving strategy as a model, brainstorm ideas for each of the steps to develop a solution to the problem scenario you chose.
Part II Synthesizing and Writing: Now that you have developed a solution to the problem by pre-writing about your ideas –
Write a paper in which you:
The paper should follow guidelines for clear and organized writing:
In addition to the above writing guidelines, your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

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