PERC 2019 Abstract Detail Page
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| Abstract Title: | Preventive and exploratory: two workplace problem-solving cultures |
|---|---|
| Abstract: | The EMPOWER project conducted 187 interviews with employers, faculty, and students across nursing, manufacturing, computing, energy, and physics. The interviews discussed the problems faced across different workplaces and how each tries to resolve them. Two different cultural approaches to problem solving were found. One culture values proactively identifying anomalies deviating from the norm while another values exploring creative solutions. The presence of risk and/or expense of an operation leads preventive problem-solvers to construct hypothetical situations and attempt to solve problems before they happen. An exploratory culture fosters creative ideas and experimentation in low-risk environments where failure is an acceptable part of the problem-solving process. The two approaches have parallels to physics education. The problem-prevention culture, which requires analyzing and addressing hypothetical anomalies, is similar to theoretical practices in physics. The exploratory culture of encouraging creative solutions is similar to experimental or design work within physics. (Supported by NSF DGE-1561493) |
| Abstract Type: | Contributed Poster Presentation |
| Session Time: | Poster Session I |
| Poster Number: | A37 |
| Contributed Paper Record: | Contributed Paper Information |
| Contributed Paper Download: | Download Contributed Paper |
Author/Organizer Information | |
| Primary Contact: |
Jacob Poirier Rochester Institute of Technology 712 Park Point Drive Unit 8B Rochester, NY 14623 Phone: 6036869959 |
| Co-Author(s) and Co-Presenter(s) |
Vina Macias Rochester Institute of Technology Benjamin Zwickl Rochester Institute of Technology Sue Rothwell Rochester Institute of Technology |
Contributed Poster | |
| Contributed Poster: | Download the Contributed Poster |
