Final Year Projects

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Final Year Projects

• Edward de Bono
• The CoRT Thinking Programme

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Basic Principles

• Thinking is a skill that can be developed
• Most practical thinking takes place in the
  perception stage.
• The tools method is used to teach thinking.

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Plus Minus Interesting PMI

• THE TREATMENT OF IDEAS
• Instead of just deciding whether or not you like
  an idea, make an effort to find
• the good points (PPlus)
• the bad points (MMinus)
• the interesting points (Ilnteresting)

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Plus Minus Interesting PMI

• P Plus
• The good things about an idea - why you like it
• M Minus
• The bad things about an idea - why you don't like
  it
• I Interest
• What you find interesting about an idea

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PMI - Example

• Windows should be made of transparent plastic
  instead of glass
• P
• They wouldnt break as easily
• They would not be as dangerous when broken
• M
• Plastic would be more expensive than glass
• Plastic would get scratched very easily
• I
• Perhaps windows could be of all colours if
  plastic
• Perhaps we take it for granted that glass is best
  since we are used to it

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PMI - Exercise

• Using a new technology/programming language in
  your final year project
• Time
• 3 mins
• Plus - 1 min
• Minus - 1 min
• Interesting - 1 min

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Aims, Goals Objectives AGO

• To introduce and emphasise the idea of purpose
• Focus directly and deliberately on the intention
  behind actions.
• Aim is the general direction
• Goal is an ultimate destination
• Objective is a recognisable point of achievement
  along the way

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AGO - Exercise

• Final Year Project to use e-learning technology
  to teach archaeology to first year students in
  second level
• Time
• 2 mins

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Consider All Factors CAF

• Related to
• Action
• Decision
• Planning
• Judgement
• Conclusion
• Consider
• the factors affecting oneself
• the factors affecting other people
• the factors affecting society in general.

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First Important Priorities FIP

• The process of picking out the most important
  ideas, factors, objectives, consequences
• To be used in conjunction with other techniques
  (e.g. CAF, APC )
• Purpose is to restore the balance in a deliberate
  manner.
• FIP is a judgement situation and there are no
  absolute answers.

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CAF FIP - Exercise

• How to select a final year project topic
• Time
• CAF - 4 mins
• FIP 1 min

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Alternatives, Possibilities Choices APC

• The process of deliberately trying to find
  alternatives.
• An attempt to focus attention directly on
  exploring all the alternatives or choices or
  possibilities - beyond the obvious ones
• Applies not only to action but also to
  explanations.

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APC - Exercise

• Your industrial supervisor becomes unavailable to
  you mid final year project
• Time
• 3 mins

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Other Peoples Views OPV

• The process of looking at other people s
  viewpoints so that the process can be used
  consciously and deliberately
• Consider the views of all stakeholders
• Can be employed in conjunction with other
  techniques

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OPV - Exercise

• You find the premise of your project was entirely
  false
• Time
• 3 mins

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Consequence Sequel CS

• The process of looking ahead to see the
  consequences of some action, plan, decision,
  rule, invention
• CS deals with what may happen after the decision
  has been made
• Immediate consequences
• Short-term (1-2 years)
• Medium-term (2-5 years)
• Long-term consequences (over 5 years).

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CS- Exercise

• You have no design submitted at the interim
  deadline
• Time
• 1.5 mins
• Short Term
• Medium Term
• Long Term

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Useful Links

• http//schoolnet.gov.mt/thinkingskills/thinkingtoo
  ls.htm
• http//www.edwarddebonofoundation.com/introduction
  .htm