3. ‘Wicked Problem Solving’

‘Wicked Problem Solving,’ the third and final workshop of the semester, took place in a formal classroom setting. It took place in the design class DES 324: Creative Problem Solving, this workshop structured students’ collaboration and problem solving in an effort to exchange ideas within and across groups. What can we understand about student processes in a formal learning setting
compared to an informal learning setting?

Understanding formal versus informal learning enviornments

There are different affordances to informal versus formal contexts. 

Informal enviornments offer a structure that allows for participants to be involved on their own accord, taught by peers. This invites a higher degree of enthusiasm and interest.

Formal contexts are nested in their disiplinary context. Given the emphasis on grades in formal learning enviornments, participants may be focused on outcomes rather than process.