Activity 6.2: Videos on Problem Solving

     I found these videos to be interesting, especially as they pertain to the information we are learning in class.  The first video, about changing the math curriculum, reminded me a lot of some of the readings we have been assigned lately.  Dan Meyer, the speaker, talked a lot about the information we receive when asked to solve a problem; usually, we don't get all the information we need and are required to go out and find it.  Moreover, he said, we expect (in general) simple problems, and so when we are presented with tough problems, we struggle.  This reminded me a lot about the reading we were assigned about myths in education, along with Carr's chapter and our growing reliance on technology.  As we have talked about a lot, we learn from our experiences; thus, I believe that our experiences with technology as a means to make things more simple is hindering our ability to problem solve.  Also, as technology is depleting our attention spans due to the ability to load things quickly and easily, I think it is also making us more impatient when we have problems that take time to figure out.
     I don't find myself to be a great problem solver, as I may have mentioned earlier.  Thus, I think I would perform terribly at the marshmallow challenge.  Like the business students, I have been trained (not in my education but in my life in general, through observations and experience) that there is one best solution to everything.  Often, because I tend to be impatient (see above discussion!) I just pick the first solution I find, usually at the last minute, and forget about the "marshmallow".  I like to be in control (which isn't a great trait!) so I have trouble letting the control go, which doesn't help my problem solving ability at all, because I am so focused on a better solution that I overlook all the possible solutions around me (see: things that constrain nonroutine thinking from our Activity 6.1 PowerPoint!).