1. Final Year Projects Edward de Bono The CoRT Thinking Programme

2. 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.

3. 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 (P=Plus) • the bad points (M=Minus) • the interesting points (I=lnteresting)

4. 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

5. PMI - Example • Windows should be made of transparent plastic instead of glass • P: • They wouldn’t 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

6. 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

7. 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

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

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. CAF & FIP - Exercise • How to select a final year project topic • Time • CAF - 4 mins • FIP – 1 min

12. 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.

13. APC - Exercise • Your industrial supervisor becomes unavailable to you mid final year project • Time • 3 mins

14. 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

15. OPV - Exercise • You find the premise of your project was entirely false • Time • 3 mins

16. Consequence &Sequel C&S • The process of looking ahead to see the consequences of some action, plan, decision, rule, invention • C&S 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).

17. C&S- Exercise • You have no design submitted at the interim deadline • Time • 1.5 mins • Short Term • Medium Term • Long Term

18. Appropriate Techniques ThesisStructure Introduction AGO, CAF, FIP Literature Review CAF, OPV, PMI Project Description CAF, OPV, APC, PMI Analysis – Quantitative & Qualitative PMI, AGO Conclusions & Future Work C&S, PMI, APC, OPV

19. Useful Links http://schoolnet.gov.mt/thinkingskills/thinkingtools.htm http://www.edwarddebonofoundation.com/introduction.htm