Tangible vs. Conceptual Problems

Tangible vs. Conceptual Problems
Identify/Generate the principle
Time: 30 minutes

This activity works well either as a way to introduce the principle, or as a later review of the principle.
 
Brainstorm a list of problems facing UVA first-years. What bad things happen that are a result of those problems? What good things could happen if the problems were fixed? What should students/parents/profs/administrators do to fix them?

Leave these answers up on the board.

Then, brainstorm a list of misconceptions about the first year of college. What bigger misconceptions about college (or young adults) do those misconceptions feed into? What new, correct conceptions should students/parents/profs/administrators hold? Put these responses up on the board.
 
Take a look at both sets of responses. Explain that the first set of answers represents a tangible problem statement:attempts to change the ways that people act in the world. The second set of answers represents a conceptual problem statement: attempts to change the ways that people think. (Obviously, conceptual problems can eventually lead to tangible changes.)