The Family ~ +/Δ (An Evaluation Tool)

The final step in a comprehensive problem-solving model is evaluating the results when the project is complete.  This happens in business and industry all the time.  It is happening more often in our schools.  It is happening less often in our homes where it is of vital importance.  If we don't learn from each experience, then we keep making the same mistakes and wonder why we don't get different results.

When I was the school-to-work liaison person for my district in the late 1990's, I spent a lot of time with leaders in business and industry.  That was when I was exposed to plus/delta - +/ Δ on a T-chart.  The plus sign is for things that went well and positive outcomes.  But instead of a minus sign, they used the Greek letter D or Δ.   Delta implies not necessarily a negative but rather things we would like to do differently or to change or improve in some way.  When I tried to find out why they chose the delta sign, I didn't get any definitive answers.

Then I looked on line at a question/answer site.  One writer pointed out that Greek letters are used in science and mathematics all the time.  The examples he gave included:

alpha - Alpha Particle Radiation
beta - Beta Radiation
delta - Change
gamma- Radiation
lambda - Wavelength
pi- or phi 3.14, etc,

Hence Δ = change!  Makes sense to me.

As with all steps in the problem-solving model, each member of the family should be able to express his or her feelings about the process without fear of public censure.  If you need to tackle an individual problem with a child, correct in private after the meeting is over.  Families that have regular family meetings to problem-solve, discuss, plan, and calendar, will find that they have less contention in their homes and things will run much more smoothly.

The chart above is one used by a school district in Texas to teach students to evaluate their own work.  In addition to the T-chart, you will note that there is a space at the bottom for upcoming plans.  You will notice that as you problem-solve in your families, the solution to one problem may lead you to the next problem you'll wish to tackle!  Don't worry: in the poetic words of my niece, grb, "That's all right.  That's how we learn!"

Text © 2012 Gebara Education

 

Picture of chart from www.schools.birdwell.k12.tx.us