A Unique Approach to Problem Solving Skills with the Public Policy Analyst

Tech Ed 2010 Conference

April 13, 2010 10:30—11:30 a.m.

A Unique Approach to Problem Solving Skills with the Public Policy Analyst

Tech Ed 2010 Conference

April 13, 2010 10:30—11:30 a.m.

A Unique Approach to Problem Solving Skills with

the Public Policy Analyst

Presenter:

James J. Carroll, Ph.D.Research Associate Professor

Syracuse UniversityMaxwell School

A Unique Approach to Problem Solving Skills with

the Public Policy Analyst

Presenter:

James J. Carroll, Ph.D.Research Associate Professor

Syracuse UniversityMaxwell School

What does a good car mechanic have incommon with a good physician?

What does a good car mechanic have incommon with a good physician?

Good car mechanics and good physicians

have to be good

Good car mechanics and good physicians

have to be good

Problem Solvers

The PPA Process:

1.Define the Problem2.Gather Evidence3.Identify Causes4.Evaluate Existing Poli

cies5.Develop Solutions6.Select Best Solutions

The PPA Process:

1.Define the Problem2.Gather Evidence3.Identify Causes4.Evaluate Existing Poli

cies5.Develop Solutions6.Select Best Solutions

What Do These have in Common?

e

What Do These have in Common?

e

Global

Warmi

ng

STD

Acid RainRacis

mTeenage Obesity

Poverty

Terrorism

Child AbuseHIV Ai

ds

Gun Vi

olence

Hunger

Pollution

Illite

racy

Crime

What Do They have in Common?

e

What Do They have in Common?

e

They are all Social Problems that your students can analyze and solve using the Public Policy Analyst

The Public Policy Analyst (PPA):The Public Policy Analyst (PPA):A Problem-Based Learning Tool Developed by

Jim Carroll, Ph.D.Syracuse UniversityMaxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs

A Problem-Based Learning Tool Developed by

Jim Carroll, Ph.D.Syracuse UniversityMaxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs

Are Any of You Public Policy

Makers?

Are Any of You Public Policy

Makers?

Public Policy is…Any government

action

legislative, executive, judicial

Public Policy is…Any government

action

legislative, executive, judicial

Faculty Create Rules (public policies: legislative),

Enforce Rules (executive),

and Interpret Rules (judicial)

Faculty Create Rules (public policies: legislative),

Enforce Rules (executive),

and Interpret Rules (judicial)

Which students do you mainly teach?

Graduate Students Undergraduate Students High School Students (9-

12) Elementary Students (K-8)

Which students do you mainly teach?

Graduate Students Undergraduate Students High School Students (9-

12) Elementary Students (K-8)

Have You Ever Used Problem-Based Learning?

YesNo

Have You Ever Used Problem-Based Learning?

YesNo

Workshop OverviewWorkshop Overview•Overview of Problem-Based Learning

•Overview of The Public Policy Analyst

•Using the PPA to Analyze a problem

•Examples of WebQuests Using the PPA

“The principal idea behind PBL is that the starting point for learning should be a problem, a query, or a puzzle that the learner wishes to solve.”

Boud, D. (1985) PBL in Perspective. In “PBL in Education for the Professions,” D. Boud (ed); p. 13

“The principal idea behind PBL is that the starting point for learning should be a problem, a query, or a puzzle that the learner wishes to solve.”

Boud, D. (1985) PBL in Perspective. In “PBL in Education for the Professions,” D. Boud (ed); p. 13

“True learning is based on discovery guided by mentoring rather

than the transmission of knowledge.”

John Dewey

“True learning is based on discovery guided by mentoring rather

than the transmission of knowledge.”

John Dewey

What are the Common Features of PBL?

What are the Common Features of PBL?

•Learning is initiated by a problem

•Problems are based on complex, real-world situations

•All information to solve the problem is not initially given

•Students find and use appropriate resources

•Students work in groups

•Learning is active, integrated and engaged.

The PPA is a PBL tool used in…Project TIPS (1999-2005): a $7M+

USDOE Technology Challenge Grant (Bronx)

Project CRITICAL(2004-2010): a $3M Gifted Education Grant in Harlem

Project CHARACTER: a $3M Character Ed. grant in Harlem *2002—06) and a $3M grant in Yonkers(2008—present)

The PPA is a PBL tool used in…Project TIPS (1999-2005): a $7M+

USDOE Technology Challenge Grant (Bronx)

Project CRITICAL(2004-2010): a $3M Gifted Education Grant in Harlem

Project CHARACTER: a $3M Character Ed. grant in Harlem *2002—06) and a $3M grant in Yonkers(2008—present)

The PPA is a PBL tool used in…

Scaling-Up Project CRITICAL(2008-Present): a $3M Gifted Education Grant in Harlem

Project HISTORY: a $1.8M USED Teaching American History Grant for Central NY

Numerous NYSED Learning with Technology Grants in NYS (2002—present)

The PPA is a PBL tool used in…

Scaling-Up Project CRITICAL(2008-Present): a $3M Gifted Education Grant in Harlem

Project HISTORY: a $1.8M USED Teaching American History Grant for Central NY

Numerous NYSED Learning with Technology Grants in NYS (2002—present)

Let’s use the PPA to analyze a problem in most colleges:

GradeInflation

Let’s use the PPA to analyze a problem in most colleges:

GradeInflation

The PPA Process:Define the ProblemGather the Evidence Identify the CausesEvaluate Existing PoliciesDevelop Policy SolutionsSelect the Best Solution

The PPA Process:Define the ProblemGather the Evidence Identify the CausesEvaluate Existing PoliciesDevelop Policy SolutionsSelect the Best Solution

Colleges award too many “A’s”

Strongly agree AgreeUncertainDisagreeStrongly disagree

Colleges award too many “A’s”

Strongly agree AgreeUncertainDisagreeStrongly disagree

As faculty members at your college, you feel that too many students receive

As faculty members at your college, you feel that too many students receive

PPA Step #1:Define the Problem

You feel that Your College has Grade Inflation!

“A’s” today compared to years ago.

Let’s share some definitions

of the problem

from our groups

Let’s share some definitions

of the problem

from our groups

PPA Step #1:Define the Problem

PPA Step #2: Gather Evidence

What type of evidence can yougather to support your socialproblem that your college hasgrade inflation!

Go to Step #2

PPA Step #2: Gather Evidence

What type of evidence can yougather to support your socialproblem that your college hasgrade inflation!

Go to Step #2

PPA Step #2: Gather Evidence

Let’s share some evidence of the problem from our groups

PPA Step #2: Gather Evidence

Let’s share some evidence of the problem from our groups

PPA Step #3: Identify Causes

What are the causes or

factors that contribute to Grade Inflation at Your College?

Go to Step #3

PPA Step #3: Identify Causes

What are the causes or

factors that contribute to Grade Inflation at Your College?

Go to Step #3

PPA Step #3: Identify Causes

Let’s share some causes or contributory factors of the problem from our groups

PPA Step #3: Identify Causes

Let’s share some causes or contributory factors of the problem from our groups

PPA Step #4:Evaluate Existing Policy

Princeton recently enacted a policy to confront its grade inflation problem.

PPA Step #4:Evaluate Existing Policy

Princeton recently enacted a policy to confront its grade inflation problem.

PPA Step #4: Evaluate Existing Policy

Since Your College does not have an existing policy,

let’s evaluate Princeton’s in

this video clipwww.udel.edu/inst/jan2005/facsenvideo.ram

PPA Step #4: Evaluate Existing Policy

Since Your College does not have an existing policy,

let’s evaluate Princeton’s in

this video clipwww.udel.edu/inst/jan2005/facsenvideo.ram

PPA Step #4: Evaluate Existing Policy

Let’s share some evaluations of the existing policy from our groups

PPA Step #4: Evaluate Existing Policy

Let’s share some evaluations of the existing policy from our groups

PPA Step #5: Develop Solutions

State 3 public policy solutions for Your College’s

Grade Inflation problem

PPA Step #5: Develop Solutions

State 3 public policy solutions for Your College’s

Grade Inflation problem

#6: Select Best Solution

Select the best public policy solution for your

college’s Grade Inflation problem based on

feasibility and effectiveness

#6: Select Best Solution

Select the best public policy solution for your

college’s Grade Inflation problem based on

feasibility and effectiveness

Taking away his car is a policy with high effectiveness (for it solves the parking problem), but low feasibility for him

EFFECTIVENESS

HIGH MEDIUM LOW

HIGH

MEDIUM

LOW

FEASIBILITY

Project TIPS teachers use the PPA with their students through incorporating it into WebQuests

Project TIPS teachers use the PPA with their students through incorporating it into WebQuests

Any Questions?Jim Carroll, Ph.D.

Syracuse Universityjcarroll@syr.edu

http://www2.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/index.htm

Any Questions?Jim Carroll, Ph.D.

Syracuse Universityjcarroll@syr.edu

http://www2.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/index.htm