Problem Formulation within open-ended problems: looking through the structure, behavior, function (SBF) and novice-expert (NE) frameworks

• Main Authors: Wan Salim, Wan Wardatul Amani, Diefes-Dux, Heidi A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier BV 2012
• Subjects: L Education (General); T Technology (General); TA174 Engineering design
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/44322/1/salim2012.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/44322/; http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877042812041055

Problem formulation is integral to successful problem solving. To introduce problem formulation in first-year engineering classrooms, we utilize model-eliciting-activities (MEAs) – a client-driven engineering problems which guide students individually through problem formulation by asking three questions: Q1) “Who is the client?”, Q2) “In one or two sentences, what does the client need?, and Q3) “Describe at least two issues that need to be considered when developing a solution for the client.” The structure-behavior-function and novice-expert frameworks were used to analyse student responses before and after formal instruction on problem formulation was introduced. Student responses showed improvement with formal instruction.