Problem, Research, Understand, Solve, Share, SOS

Why Should You Use Solve in Time?

Problem-solving activities in the classroom can be a valuable way to engage students and help them develop important skills that will serve them well both now and in the future. Solve in Time! has been shown to be an effective tool for promoting critical thinking, fostering creativity, promoting equitable communication, and emphasizing the importance of collaboration.

What is Solve in Time!®?

Solve in Time!® is a gamified design thinking activity. The goal is to creatively explain a solution to a relevant, real-world problem within a set time limit. Up to six teams of 2-4 people can play using a single deck and can be facilitated live or virtually, low-tech or high-tech. Pick the problem, let’s solve it!

 Equity- Bias, Discrimination, Racism, Civil Rights. Empathy- Negative Feelings, Classroom Challenges, Character Flaws, Social Impact

The following are specialized workshops and coaching opportunities based on Solve in Time! expansion packs-

Empathy Edition: Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and how it affects us on the individual, social, institutional level. Designed for learners ages 7+. See more at solveintime.com/product/empathy

Problems to Solve using Empathy Edition Include:

  • Negative Feelings- ideal for younger learners and teachers, grades K-2.

  • Classroom Challenges- ideal for classroom teachers and instructional coaches of all grade levels. Also helpful for students in co-creating class expectations and norms.

  • Character Flaws- ideal for administration, school counselors, and character ed for all grade levels.

  • Social Impact- ideal for GATE, Global Issues, and Global-Impact focused content support grades 6-12.

Equity Edition: Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI). Designed for learners ages 12+. See more at solveintime.com/equity.

Problems to Solve using Equity Edition Include:

  •  Battling Bias- ideal for secondary students, adult decision-makers, and teachers in all content-areas. Long-term anti-bias coaching recommended.

  • Defeating Discrimination- ideal for social studies and social justice focused content support grades 6-12.

  • Eradicating Racism- ideal for secondary students, adult decision-makers, and teachers in all content-areas. Long-term anti-racism coaching recommended.

  • Fighting for Civil Rights- ideal for social studies, and Global-Impact focused content support grades 6-12.

Who Is Solve in Time! Designed For?

Solve in Time! is designed for educators and administrators to use with students and staff to solve problems that are real and relevant to their setting. Additionally, Solve in Time! been used as a teaching and coaching tool for companies, non-profit organizations, and churches. Love learning and solving problems? Solve in Time! is for you. 

All the buzzwords- Problem-based learning (PBL), Gamification, Design-thinking, Passion Projects, Social Emotional Learning (SEL), Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI), and much more!

When Should You Use Solve in Time?

Solve in Time! can be implemented at various points throughout a unit of study to introduce new concepts, explore a subject in more depth, or review and reinforce important ideas, especially when a real and relevant problem can be identified in the curriculum. Additionally, Solve in Time! can be utilized by staff teams to foster the development of character traits, integrate social justice concepts into instruction, and teach social-emotional learning strategies throughout the academic year.

How do you facilitate Solve in Time?

Gone are the days of asking, “so how can we solve this problem?” standing in front of a whiteboard and blank stares. Set up teams, pass out the cards, set a timer and #SolveiT! For full directions on using “Solve in Time!”, please visit solveintime.com/instructions.


 

Designed by Dee Lanier

Dee Lanier

Dee is the Lead Experience Designer at Lanier Learning, LLC, which is dedicated to co-designing equitable learning experiences for school leaders, staff, and students. We also partner with non-profit and for-profit corporations that are committed to community good.

Dee is the author of Demarginalizing Design and a passionate and energetic educator and learner with over two decades of instructional experience on the K-12 and collegiate levels. Dee holds Undergraduate and Master’s degrees in Sociology with special interests in education, race relations, and equity.  Dee is an award-winning presenter, TEDx Speaker, Google Certified Trainer, Google Innovator, and Google Certified Coach that specializes in creative applications for mobile devices and Chromebooks, low-cost makerspaces, and gamified learning experiences. Dee is a founding mentor and architect for the Google Coaching program pilot, Dynamic Learning Project, and a co-founder of Our Voice Academy, a program aimed at empowering educators of color to gain greater visible leadership and recognized expertise. Dee is also the creator of the design thinking educational activities called, Solve in Time!® and Maker Kitchen™️ and co-host of the Liberated Educator podcast. 

Reach out on Twitter @deelanier and email at dee@solveintime.com.

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