Dr. Michael Earle & Dr. Janice Thiel

 Background Deer, and Terry, and Snakes, Oh my!  Activity  Discussion

Three teenagers were seriously injured in a car accident when swerving to avoid a deer on a two-lane road near a small, rural town in Florida. The residents of the town have seen more and more deer enter the town’s populated areas over recent years. Local law enforcement has been called numerous times this year to remove the animals from backyards and neighborhood streets, and one deer even caused considerable damage as it entered a restaurant in town. The mayor has been charged by the city leaders to keep the town residents safe. Local crops have even been damaged by the animals. Some long time residents have requested that the hunting season and catch limits be extended in order to reduce the deer population. One city leader even proposed that the city purchase electronic devices to deter the deer from entering populated areas. Health concerns have recently been elevated as three deer carcasses were found at the edge of town and local law enforcement suspect that the animals had been poisoned.

Terry is finishing his first year of college. He is completely undecided about his major. When asked what he might want to pursue for a career, he responds, “I have no idea.” One of his instructors suggested that Terry complete the career interest inventories that are offered to SPC students. The instructor suggested that after he completes the inventories, then he can take some classes in the fields that relate to his interests. Terry is skeptical because he has heard that these career tests are baloney ! He heard that they ask you several silly questions and then based on your answers they pinpoint what career you should choose for the rest of your life. His parents suggest that he drop out of college, get a job, and when he decides what he wants to do for a career, he can go back to college. They explained that if he stays in college, taking various classes won’t help him decide on a career. They believe that people need to actually work before they know what career they will want to do for the rest of their lives.

 This exercise or process has taught us that better decision making could lead to finding a job or choosing an occupation for which will benefit each and everyone of us. We believe that it’s too soon to for Terry to know what his future would be at his age, therefore we advise him to try different new things before he settles for the one he wants. He should spend some time outside school throughout the semester and he may find his calling. Exploring all his available options and consequences will help him make the best decision.

Performance Element Exemplary (4) Proficient (3) Developing (2) Emerging (1) Not Present (0) Communication Define problem in your own words. Identifies the main idea or problem with numerous supporting details and examples which are organized logically and coherently Identifies the main idea or problem with some supporting details and examples in an organized manner Identifies the main idea or problem with few details or examples in a somewhat organized manner Identifies the main idea or problem poorly with few or no details or states the main idea or problem verbatim from the text. Does not identify the main idea or problem

Performance Element Exemplary (4) Proficient (3) Developing (2) Emerging (1) Not Present (0) Analysis Compare & contrast the available solutions. Uses specific inductive or deductive reasoning to make inferences regarding premises; addresses implications and consequences; identifies facts and relevant information correctly Uses logical reasoning to make inferences regarding solutions; addresses implications and consequences; Identifies facts and relevant information correctly Uses superficial reasoning to make inferences regarding solutions; Shows some confusion regarding facts, opinions, and relevant, evidence, data, or information Makes unexplained, unsupported, or unreasonable inferences regarding solutions; makes multiple errors in distinguishing fact from fiction or in selecting relevant evidence Does not analyze multiple solutions

Performance Element Exemplary (4) Proficient (3) Developing (2) Emerging (1) Not Present (0) Problem-Solving Select & defend your final solution. Thoroughly identifies and addresses key aspects of the problem and insightfully uses facts and relevant evidence from analysis to support and defend potentially valid solutions Identifies and addresses key aspects of the problem and uses facts and relevant evidence from analysis to develop potentially valid conclusions or solutions Identifies and addresses some aspects of the problem; develops possible conclusions or solutions using some inappropriate opinions and irrelevant information from analysis Identifies and addresses only one aspect of the problem but develops untestable hypothesis; or develops invalid conclusions or solutions based on opinion or irrelevant information Does not select and defend a solution

Performance Element Exemplary (4) Proficient (3) Developing (2) Emerging (1) Not Present (0) Evaluation Identify weaknesses in your final solution. Insightfully interprets data or information; identifies obvious as well as hidden assumptions, establishes credibility of sources on points other than authority alone, avoids fallacies in reasoning; distinguishes appropriate arguments from extraneous elements; provides sufficient logical support Accurately interprets data or information; identifies obvious assumptions, establishes credibility of sources on points other than authority alone, avoids fallacies in reasoning; distinguishes appropriate arguments from extraneous elements; provides sufficient logical support Makes some errors in data or information interpretation; makes arguments using weak evidence; provides superficial support for conclusions or solutions Interprets data or information incorrectly; Supports conclusions or solutions without evidence or logic; uses data, information, or evidence skewed by invalid assumptions; uses poor sources of information; uses fallacious arguments Does not evaluate data, information, or evidence related to final solution.

Performance Element Exemplary (4) Proficient (3) Developing (2) Emerging (1) Not Present (0) Synthesis Suggest ways to improve/strengthen your final solution. Insightfully relates concepts and ideas from multiple sources; uses new information to enhance final solution; recognizes missing information; correctly identifies potential effects of new information. Accurately relates concepts and ideas from multiple sources; uses new information to enhance final solution; correctly identifies potential effects of new information. Inaccurately or incompletely relates concepts and ideas from multiple sources; shallow determination of effect of new information on final solution Poorly integrates information from more than one source to support final solution; Incorrectly predicts the effect of new information on final solution Does not identify new information for final solution

Performance Element Exemplary (4) Proficient (3) Developing (2) Emerging (1) Not Present (0) Reflection Reflect on your own thought process. “What did you learn from this process?” “What would you do differently next time to improve?” Identifies strengths and weaknesses in own thinking: recognizes personal assumptions, values and perspectives, compares to others’, and evaluates them in the context of alternate points of view Identifies some personal assumptions, values, and perspectives; recognizes some assumptions, values and perspectives of others; shallow comparisons of alternate points of view Identifies some personal assumptions, values, and perspectives; does not consider alternate points of view Does not reflect on own thinking

 Read Snakes in the ‘Glades scenario  Discuss & Write Your Notes on the Worksheet  Communication: Define the problem in your own words.  Analysis: Compare & contrast the available solutions within the scenario.  Problem Solving: Select one of the available solutions and defend it as your chosen solution.  Evaluation: Identify the weaknesses of your chosen solution.  Synthesis: Suggest ways to improve/strengthen your chosen solution (may use information not contained within the scenario).  Reflection: Reflect on your own thought process after completing the assignment.  What did you learn from this process?  What would you do differently next time to improve?

 We learned that there are often many solutions to a given problem. In problem solving you must consider what the best option is given the scenario. Then consider the possible outcomes based on the decision that was made. There may be a few drawbacks to any decision, but you must make the choice based on which option does the most good with the least harm.