Problem Solving Facilitator Guide
Problem Solving Facilitator Guide
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Problem Solving: Facilitator Guide
This facilitator guide is part of a series created for the course “Game Changers: Gaming Skills
and the Workplace.” Built in a modular fashion to allow for maximum flexibility, this course
provides training on real-world skills that can be developed and practiced in a game-based
environment. Using a combination of facilitated lessons, participatory activities, research, and
games, this course will help teach a new generation of job seekers the 21 st Century soft skills so
critical to Canadian employers. Modules in this course include:
A Youth Advisory Committee played a key role in the development of this course. Literacy Link
South Central offers thanks to committee members Cassandra Smith, Colin Todkill, Eleyas
Araya, Eric Rice, Jamie Kaill and Taisha Jenee Pinsonneault for their input and guidance.
Gaming recommendations for this project were provided by our advisors at Teleos
Engagement. Literacy Link South Central recognizes Gabriel Hancock, Robert Durant and Shayne
Ganness and thanks them for sharing their in-depth knowledge of game design and
development.
This curriculum was developed and formatted by Summer Burton, Project Manager, Literacy
Link South Central. For questions about this curriculum, please contact Literacy Link South
Central at 519-681-7307 or [email protected]
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Problem Solving: Facilitator Guide
A note for our Facilitators: This course was designed for flexibility. It is divided into several
modules, and many can be done in the order that suits your personal facilitation style and the
timing of each session in your course. Participants also have an opportunity to provide input
into the order of modules.
At the start of each module you will find a list of supplies required, along with recommended
tasks and activities for facilitators to complete before the session begins. A set of companion
playbooks are available for participants and should be used by participants throughout.
Tip: if you break up modules in this fashion, we recommend you set that expectation with
participants in advance, so you do not appear to have run out of time.
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Problem Solving: Facilitator Guide
Curriculum Legend: Each module includes several key components, meant to keep the
workshop moving and provide breaks between lecture-style elements. Please watch for the
following symbols to identify each element of the module you are facilitating:
Facilitator notes (a summary of what should happen during a session. Facilitator notes
provide an overview, which the facilitator can customize to reflect the format of their
workshop/course)
Game (interactive play-based opportunities, often using board games or digital games)
Debrief (a discussion following an activity, game or video. Includes guiding questions and
topics, and key points to cover when applicable)
Independent work / homework (handouts or activities provided in the playbook, which are
intended to be completed by participants independently. Some are reviewed, while others are
for the participants personal information.)
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Problem Solving: Facilitator Guide
Estimated time to complete this module: 1 hour and 50 minutes to 2 hours, not including a
break.
Pre-session preparation:
Consider any take-away activities or “homework” you may have assigned at the end of
the last session, so you can review them before starting this module.
Think about a time where you encountered a problem and had to think creatively to
solve it. Be prepared to share it with participants.
Write the following four words on a flipchart or whiteboard: Observing, Thinking,
Decision-Making, Acting
Check the link for the online article “Problem-Solving Skills: Definitions and Examples”
on Indeed.com to be sure it works. The link has been provided below and in the
participant playbook, and a copy is also available to print for participants if needed.
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/problem-solving-skills
Review the document “Dr. Johnson’s Lab Gameplay” carefully. It provides not only
instructions for the game itself, but a list of important pre-game preparation required to
run this activity successfully. Put aside additional time to set up this activity.
Review the tutorials for how to set Breakout EDU locks, which is available at this link:
https://www.breakoutedu.com/locks
Decide how you would like to have the group choose the topic for the next session and
prepare any supplies you need.
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Problem Solving: Facilitator Guide
Introduction:
Begin by welcoming participants and outlining the timing (including any breaks) for the
session. Then, share the agenda. Note that the agenda is also in the participant playbooks for
reference.
Agenda:
1. Approaching Life’s Problems
2. Brainstorm a Solution to a Complex Problem
3. Problem Solving Questions
4. Skills for Problem Solving
5. Dr. Johnson’s Lab / Zombie Apocalypse
6. Selecting the next session’s topic
7. Wrap-up and take-away
Before you begin the first item on the agenda, take up or discuss any activities you may have
asked participants to do between the last session and this one. They may be sharing
observations from their life outside of class, letting you know what they learned from
something you asked them to read, or describing an interaction they had with someone else.
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Problem Solving: Facilitator Guide
Let the group know that there are few places in life where we’re free of issues and problems
– both in our work and personal lives. Problem solving skills are what take us from recognizing
that there’s an issue to being the type of person who is able to fix it. Games are all about
problem solving… there’s a challenging task put in front of you that often requires a less-than-
straightforward solution, and you figure out how to overcome it. It’s such a valuable skill – and
highly transferrable to a non-gaming environment.
Ask: Can anyone tell me about a time where they encountered a problem and had to think
creatively to solve it? Answers will vary based on participant experiences. If no one has a
response to this question, share a story about creative problem solving from your own
experience.
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Problem Solving: Facilitator Guide
Remind participants that unfortunately, problems don’t generally solve themselves without
someone taking action and doing something. Then direct them to think about whether they
know someone who complains a lot when there are problems in their lives.
Ask: Do they do anything to make the situation better or just talk about how someone else
should? How does that make you feel? Answers will vary depending on whether participants
know someone like that (most people do). Dealing with them often makes people feel
frustrated, fed up, annoyed, or even guilty if they feel like they should solve the problem for
this other person. Discuss these different reactions, and ask participants what it is about the
other person’s behaviour that makes them feel that way.
Let the group know that we recognize sometimes we can’t solve the problem – it’s beyond
our control. But we are capable of amazing things if we assume we can change things. Blue sky
thinking / brainstorming are amazing ways to find creative solutions to problems that seem
unsolvable. Tell them we’re going to test that theory right now.
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Problem Solving: Facilitator Guide
Before you begin, stress that when brainstorming there is no such thing as an answer that’s
too outside-the-box, and that we’re spending this time generating ideas not poking holes in
them. Then, lead a brainstorming session to generate solutions to the problem chosen by the
group, and record the solutions they generate. Ask who-what-where-when-why-how questions
to expand on their ideas and flesh out how they could be accomplished.
Debrief: When the activity is done, point out how the ideas near the beginning are often
simpler or “smaller” compared to those near the end, and that later ideas often took elements
of earlier ideas and expanded on them.
Point out that working as a team to problem-solve generated real, actionable and creative
solutions to the selected problem, and that the ability to work together to problem solve is a
very valuable skill employers are looking for.
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Problem Solving: Facilitator Guide
Facilitate the lesson “Problem Solving Questions.” Facilitator instructions and scripting are
both included in this Facilitator Guide, and also in the “notes” section of the PowerPoint
presentation.
If you are comfortable with this material, the scripting does not need to be used word-for-
word. It is there as a guide and to be referenced to assist you in this lesson as needed.
The participant playbook contains accompanying information and places to record notes for
this lesson.
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Problem Solving: Facilitator Guide
There are four key questions we can ask ourselves when we’re faced with a problem we need
to solve – whether it’s big or small. They go a bit deeper than the four actions of observing,
thinking, decision-making and acting we talked about earlier, but they are very well aligned.
We’re going to look at each of them, and then figure out how you go about getting the answers
you need to reach a solution to the problem.
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Problem Solving: Facilitator Guide
First, what problem do you need to solve? That’s a great place to start! It sounds like a simple
question, but it’s kind of deceptive.
For example, we need to make sure that what we think is a problem is really a problem. Is it just
something that we don’t like personally, or do we think it’s a problem because we resent or
dislike where it’s coming from? What seems like a problem to one person may not be a
problem to anyone else – so sometimes we have to separate personal opinion from the mix.
To make sure the problem is more than just an opinion, look at it from different points of view
– and that means involving anyone impacted by it. Find out what they think the problem is, so
you can make sure everyone‘s on the same page and agrees that there’s a problem to solve. If
there’s been a workplace injury, for example, it’s not just the injured person who would be
consulted to figure out what went wrong. A Health and Safety representative, anyone involved
in the incident where the injury occurred, on-site recordings, other workers who’ve been
injured – they would all come together to identify the true cause of the problem.
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Problem Solving: Facilitator Guide
And maybe there is really a problem – but are we looking at the right one? We might actually
be looking at the symptom of a completely different problem we hadn’t realized was
happening. It’s a bit like giving someone an aspirin for a headache, when the cause of the
headache is actually a head injury. You’ve treated what seems to be the problem, but the
source of that problem remains.
A great way to get at the root cause of a problem is to come up with different ways to finish the
statement “this wouldn’t be happening if…” A caution though: it’s a statement that can lead us
away from problem solving if it ends in an accusation. “This wouldn’t be happening if… Frank
wasn’t such an idiot” is not actually going to help – in fact, Frank’s angry, emotional reaction is
likely to get in the way of moving forward at all. Instead, get at the issue directly with a
statement like “this wouldn’t be happening if… the safety lock was put in place any time the
machinery isn’t in use.”
With everyone’s perspectives in mind, and some digging to find the root cause of the problem,
we can come up with a clear statement ((CLICK)) this is the problem we need to solve.
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Problem Solving: Facilitator Guide
Once we are very clear about what the problem is, we can look at different ways we could fix it.
While it might be tempting to just go with the first potential solution, it’s important that we
think of several different ways we could possibly solve the problem, even when we just want to
get it over with quickly.
It’s equally important that we include the people impacted by the problem in coming up with a
solution. Everyone looks at problems a different way, and the same problem can affect people
in different ways. That can change what solutions would and wouldn’t work, so there’s
incredible value in getting those different perspectives when trying to solve a problem. This is
an excellent opportunity to practice brainstorming, and building on each others ideas like we
did in our last activity.
Once we have several different options, we need to think about the consequences of each
possible solution – not just how it will (hopefully) solve the issue right now, but what will
happen as a result of making that decision in the long-run? Are there implications on anyone
else? Could there be a “down side” to this solution that’s worse than the problem we’re trying
to solve in the first place? Make sure you keep solutions on the list that you can live with, and
that don’t inadvertently make things worse. The problem with the safety latch not being used
on the machinery – technically, getting rid of the machinery altogether would ensure that no
one gets injured by it – but it also might put the entire company out of business and everyone
who works there out of a job. Not a solution we should probably keep on the list.
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Problem Solving: Facilitator Guide
Once you have a list of possible solutions, you have to decide which one you’re going to try.
Consider how likely it is for each solution to result in the problem being solved. Some solutions
that came from your brainstorming session might be guaranteed to fix the problem, while
others only “might” fix it. While something that might fix it could be the quickest and most
attractive choice, how willing are you to face this problem again – and possibly again after that,
if your bet doesn’t pay off?
Weigh whether the solutions you’re considering will solve the problem not just short-term, but
permanently. Remember our friend with the headache earlier? From a long-term perspective,
their problem needs a bigger solution than an aspirin.
It’s also important to look at each of the possible solutions analytically – not turning them down
because they’re difficult, or we don’t like the person who suggested them. Taking our emotions
out of the mix when problem solving is a good way to make decisions that really work.
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Problem Solving: Facilitator Guide
We also have to keep in mind that if other people need to be involved for the solution to work,
we need to get them on board – make sure they’re willing to do the work involved. If we don’t
confirm that ahead of time, we could shoot ourselves in the foot by deciding to try a solution
we can’t actually make work.
Once we’ve weighed our options, we can decide what solution we’re going to try.
If you have facilitated the Decision Making module with this group, mention the idea of
making pro and con lists, ranked pro and con lists, and decision matrixes to help make this
process easier.
If you haven’t facilitated the Decision Making module and plan to run additional modules
from the Game Changer course, suggest that for additional tips and tricks on making good
decisions the group may want to vote for the Decision Making module when they choose the
next session’s topic.
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Problem Solving: Facilitator Guide
We’ve made a decision, which is great! The next part can sometimes be the hardest – and
that’s actually working on the solution.
First, deciding what solution we think will work is a good first step, but we have to make it real
– say it out loud, write it down on paper – heck, even post it to the front of the fridge. Don’t
keep it just in our heads, but do something so that solution is visible as a reminder. That way
we’re less likely to let the habits or behaviours that caused the problem in the first place
happen again.
We need to be clear about what the solution is not only for our own sakes, but for everyone
else impacted by the problem. Again, we all have to be on the same page, so let’s talk to them –
make sure they understand the solution and get their buy-in that they’re going to act on it
along with us. Even if they don’t have a role to play in executing the solution, anyone impacted
by the problem should know that we’re working on it and how.
Executing a solution is rarely a quick, one-step process. We’ll need to keep at it – keep focused
on the decision we made and see if it’s making a difference. And that’s a big question – how do
we know if the solution is working? For some big problems, it might be obvious – if a house is
on fire and our solution is to aim a firehose at it, we’ll know pretty quickly if it’s helped or not.
But lots of problems aren’t that clear cut.
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Problem Solving: Facilitator Guide
Are there any markers we can set to know we’re making progress? Consider the statement “I
will know that things are getting better when…” and come up with not just one, but several
different ways to finish the sentence. Then, consider how to end the statement “I will know this
problem has been solved when…” Much like the solution we chose, we need to write these
statements down. That’s not only so we don’t forget them, but so we can celebrate progress
with a checkmark next to each statement that comes true.
And don’t forget to talk to the people who were impacted by the problem – do they think the
solution helped? Are they finding the situation better? When both we and they agree that the
solution is working we can start to relax – and when we all agree on that final “this problem has
been solved” statement, we can celebrate.
I wish it were simple, and that the first solution we try will fix our problems every time. Using
the techniques we discussed there’s a better chance, but that’s not a guarantee. We have to be
prepared that we may not hit those markers, and will need to go back and pick what we
thought was the second-best solution to try instead. That can be frustrating, but we will have
learned something from what didn’t work in the first solution we tried – let’s use that for our
next try.
Finally, once the problem is solved, it’s worth taking some time to consider how we can make
sure the same problem doesn’t happen again. Think about the solutions we put in place, and
whether there’s anything we or anyone else could do proactively to prevent the problem from
coming back.
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Problem Solving: Facilitator Guide
It can be hard to start the problem solving process when some problems seem so large, or
when we feel like we don’t have the power to actually execute a solution. That’s a good
opportunity to reframe the problem into something that we can impact – even if it’s our own
choices, attitudes, or opinions. Big problems like poverty, racism, environmental crises and
health pandemics do feel like things we can’t find a solution to on our own – but in each and
every one of these situations there’s something we can do to be part of the solution – and if
enough other people do it too, even big overwhelming problems can be impacted.
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Problem Solving: Facilitator Guide
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/problem-solving-skills
Ask participants to answer the questions in their Playbook, and let them know that you’ll
take the answers up when they are done. The questions and answers appear below and on the
following page.
1. Although problem solving is often identified as its own separate skill, this article
suggests that there are lots of other related skills that go into effective problem solving.
List them below:
1) Active listening
2) Analysis
3) Research
4) Creativity
5) Communication
6) Dependability
7) Decision making
8) Team-building
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Problem Solving: Facilitator Guide
2. Review the examples of problem-solving skills provided and fill in the blanks or answer
the questions below.
When identifying possible solutions, you will need to know how to communicate the
problem to others. You will also need to know what communication channels are the
most appropriate when seeking assistance.
What skill involves gathering information about a problem by brainstorming with other
team members, consulting more experienced colleagues or acquiring knowledge online?
Research
Employers highly value individuals they can trust to both identify and then implement
solutions as fast and effectively as possible. What skill is this associated with?
Dependability
The first step to solving any problem to analyze the situation. Your analytical skills will
help you understand problems and effectively develop solutions.
3. Review the suggestions under how to improve your problem-solving skills. Choose one,
and describe how you could practice it in your life – either at home, in school, at work,
or with friends.
Answers will vary by participant, but the four suggestions in the article are:
1. Acquire more technical knowledge in your field
2. Seek out opportunities to problem solve
3. Do practice problems
4. Observe how others problem solve
4. Where can you highlight your problem-solving skills on your resume? In the “skills”
section, the “achievements” section, or by giving specific examples of problem solving
in your “experience” section.
5. Can you also reference problem-solving skills in your cover letter? Yes
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Problem Solving: Facilitator Guide
Note: this game takes some time, and some privacy, to set up. If you haven’t done the setup
prior to the start of the session, you will need to schedule a break before starting this game.
The full set of instructions for setting up and executing this game are available in the document
“Dr. Johnson’s Lab Game Play.”
Remind participants that we just talked about the importance of research and analysis, good
communication, teamwork and decision-making when solving problems. Let them know we’re
going to play a very different kind of game – not a board game or video game – that will let
them demonstrate all of those problem solving skills.
Ask: has anyone in the group ever done an escape room before? If they have, ask them to
describe it in general terms, focusing on the types of challenges they faced, not the storyline of
the game. Pick out specific challenges or tools they used (like locks, black lights / UV lights, etc.)
as they speak, so you can draw a parallel to the game they’re going to play.
Let them know that while escape rooms require you to go into them and try to get out, a lot
of the same concepts can be used in reverse. That’s where “break in boxes” came from.
Ask: has anyone in the group heard of or done a “break in box” before? If they have, ask
them to describe what that experience was like.
Set the stage for the game by reading the story out loud to participants. It appears both on
the following page, and in the participant playbook. Let them know that components of the
game appear around the room, and that they will have to use their resources to figure out how
to get the antidote. Tell the group how long you are going to give them to complete the
challenge (between 30 and 40 minutes is suggested) and start the timer.
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Problem Solving: Facilitator Guide
The story:
You are attending a series of professional development workshops, and your facilitator
has called in sick. But don’t worry – a colleague of theirs named Dr. Johnson agreed to
step in for them. Something is a bit strange about Dr. Johnson though – he spends more
time looking at his files than teaching, seems distracted and anxious, and keeps leaving
the room unexpectedly.
When he’s out of the room, you and the rest of the group decide to take a peek at the
files that have Dr. Johnson so worked up. You discover that Dr. Johnson has plans to
unleash a deadly airborne virus that would turn anyone who came into contact with it
into a zombie. However, you also learn that the doctor has created an antidote that can
reverse the symptoms. He plans to save it for himself and family.
You have a limited amount of time to use Dr. Johnson’s files and clues in the room to find
the antidote and save yourselves (and the world!)
Observe as the group attempts to break into the three boxes and get the antidote that will
stop the zombie apocalypse. As it progresses, make notes about who did a great job of
communicating with others. Did any natural leaders appear? Who demonstrated good
observation skills? Who was effective when faced with a challenge they had to figure out?
What else do you notice?
Debrief: If the group successfully breaks into the third (largest) box and gets the antidote,
they will find three reflection cards. Ask three different participants to each take a card, and
both read out loud and answer the question that’s on it. The questions appear below, and can
still be used if the group was unsuccessful in the challenge:
Describe how solving a puzzle in the game relates to solving a problem in the real world
Describe how another member of your team exemplified critical thinking
Describe how this game relates to what you were learning about
Continue the debrief by asking the group about the experience of playing the game. What
problem did they face that was the hardest? How did they approach it? What skills did they
have to use to be successful? If they weren’t successful, what do they think they could do
differently next time?
Estimated time to provide instructions and complete the game, including the debrief: 45 to 55
minutes.
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Problem Solving: Facilitator Guide
Thank the group for choosing today’s topic, and let them know it’s time to pick the focus for
the next session. Share the list of remaining topics as shown below.
1. Verbal communication
2. Non-verbal communication
3. Observation skills
4. Decision making
5. Problem solving
6. Teamwork
7. Flexibility and adaptability
8. Work ethic
9. Conflict resolution
10. Resiliency
Take a poll: which of these topics would the group like to look at next? This poll should be
done in the same format as the poll completed in the first session. A full list of possible polling
options can be found in the Game Changers Course Facilitator Guide if needed.
When the poll results are in, prepare for the topic chosen by reviewing that module.
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Problem Solving: Facilitator Guide
Remind participants that we looked at lots of different techniques we can use to solve
problems today, and let the group know that before the next session, you would like them to
practice problem solving by working through the activity below. Let them know you’ll be asking
them to summarize their experience at the start of the next session.
Think of a problem you have in your life, and then ask someone else for their
opinion of the problem.
Thinking of that problem, finish the sentence “this wouldn’t be happening if…” as
many times as necessary to confirm it’s really a problem, and not just a symptom.
Brainstorm possible solutions to the problem. Get other people’s input if possible.
Ask for questions or comments about today’s session. Thank the group for participating, and
remind them of the date and time of the next session. Please make a note of the homework
assigned during this session, so you can review it during the session that follows.
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