Future TrendsPrelims Briefing07 MAR 2014Mr Daniel Siewsiewwj@hci.edu.sgCategory Manager

Essential items for Prelims Presentation

• Five potential challenges and an overview of the relevant research to be presented

• Fundamental problem to be presented

• A total of ten potential challenges to be updated in your online portfolio

Duration of Prelims PresentationFive mins oral presentation (unless formally excused from Prelims, all group members must speak)

Three mins Q & A

Time management is a perennial issue

First Slide• Group Number• Finalised Project Title• Project Members’ names, classes

Structure of ProblemsThe judges are not looking for essays, rambling arguments. We are looking for clarity, logic, reason and with some luck, creativity.

Use the FPSP model of structuring problems.

RecapA Potential Challenge has 3 parts:Part 1: A FACT that can be derived from the scenario.Part 2: WHY this fact could pose a problem within the scenario (this is the problem that you infer here). Better teams go on to mention the LARGER CONSEQUENCE too.Part 3: RESEARCH to support why you believe this could be a problem. Your research may be based on formal academic papers / journals, opinions from authoritative / credible sources (e.g. universities, government organisations, international non-profit organisations, reputable newspapers).

An example from elsewhereThe future scene states that students these days face increasing levels of stress from home (FACT, from future scene). This could be problematic in 2030 because if this trend persists, students may face such an insurmountable level of stress that many may turn to suicide (WHY) leading potentially to a generation of youths with poor emotional health (LARGER CONSEQUENCE). According to Dr Daniel Fung, Deputy Chief of IMH’s department of child and adolescent psychiatry, teenager suicide is usually caused by “relationship problems, especially with their parents” (RESEARCH).

An example from within the sceneThe future scene states that elderly people are exempted from incarceration for any crime they commit, and will only be fined for their offences (FACT, from future scene); this may be a problem as more elderly people may flout the law given that fines are not as effective a deterrent as imprisonment (WHY), leading possibly to a higher crime rate (LARGER CONSEQUENCE). This is proven by / substantiated by / backed up by Dr XYZ of ABC, who predicted that BLEH (RESEARCH).

Notice…Potential problems are always phrased as statements (not questions), and are always suggested as problems (using words like may, might, can, could) and not regarded as definite (not using words like will, would, shall, should, must).

Negative examplesThe elderly will not take care of themselves since they know the government will take care of them.

Negative examplesThe elderly will not take care of themselves since they know the government will take care of them.

The future scene states that the government will provide generous medical subsidies and even free basic healthcare for the elderly; this may be a problem as some of the elderly may become overdependent on the government, leading possibly to a future society where the elderly will always look to the government for help.

Negative examplesSince the future scene states that the elderly will stay in exclusive retirement homes, they may feel lonely.

Negative examplesSince the future scene states that the elderly will stay in exclusive retirement homes, they may feel lonely.

Since the future scene states that elderly will stay in exclusive retirement homes, this may be a problem as they may feel lonely being away from their families and loved ones; prolonged feelings of isolation may eventually lead to depression in these elderly people.

Negative examplesSince the future scene states that the elderly may live alone, they will feel lonely, leading to depression. Consequently due to depression, they may commit suicide. Their families will be distraught. Some might commit suicide too……………slippery slope continues…………… extinction of mankind happens.

Tip: Diverge, before you converge

The Fundamental ProblemYou may notice that out of your ten potential problems, a few may be related to the same significant theme that requires significant attention from you.

You may combine elements of these into the Fundamental Problem.

The Fundamental ProblemThe FP should always be one that BEST FITS your intent AND if solved, would MOST POSITIVELY IMPACT the future scene as a whole / create the most change.

Phrasing of FPIt would however be very much more realistic if your FP deals with something you and your team can address.Hence, you should aim to INCREASE, DECREASE, MINIMIZE, MAXIMIZE, REDUCE, IMPROVE a situation of your choice, as opposed to PREVENT, ELIMINATE, SOLVE, which are harder (and at times almost impossible) to do.

Constituents of an FPYour FP must have a condition phrase, key verb phrase, purpose, and future scene parameters (time, location).

An Example of an FP from elsewhere

Given the inference we have made that teenagers in 2050 are likely to suffer from the potential problems of teenage depression, isolation, and side effects from frequent pill-popping (CONDITION PHRASE), how might we improve the general well-being (KEY VERB PHRASE) of these teenagers so that they will not succumb to mental and physical illnesses that easily (PURPOSE) in Singapore in the year 2050 and beyond (FUTURE SCENE PARAMETERS)?

A good FP…… is phrased as a question.

deals with a significant issue from the future scene (ADEQUACY).

deals with a significant issue from the future scene that is manageable – not too broad, not too narrow (FOCUS). A good gauge of an FP with good FOCUS would be one with a KVP that is observable and measurable.

Negative example of an FPSingapore has a burgeoning population of elderly above 80 years old. This is the root problem. Everything else is an associated problem.

A better example of an FP (but this is not a model FP)

Given that the younger generation has to pay more taxes to support the burgeoning elderly population and the increased welfare benefits given to them (CP), how might we increase the general happiness of the younger generation (KVP) so that they will be more willing to pay these taxes (P) in the year 2050 and beyond in Singapore? (FSP)

Fail-proof Structure of Presentation Slides

Slide 1 – Opening Slide that shows group detailsSlide 2 – Problem 1 (no point form)Slide 3 – Further elaboration of research supporting Problem 1 (point form)Slide 4 – Problem 2Slide 5 – Further elaboration of research supporting Problem 2(etc)Slide 12 – Fundamental Problem (no point form)Slide 13 – Bibliography (using APA format)

The APA FormatAPA stands for American Psychological Association. The APA format is most commonly used to cite sources within the social sciences.

How to cite internet sources using APA

Contributors' names (Last edited date). Title of resource. Retrieved from http://Web address for OWL resource

Angeli, E., Wagner, J., Lawrick, E., Moore, K., Anderson, M., Soderlund, L., & Brizee, A. (2010, May 5). General format. Retrieved from http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/

Citing other sourcesSearch “APA format” in Google and click the first link. It should bring you to the Purdue Online Writing Lab, which details just about every single kind of source you can cite in APA format.

That said…As long as you present what is essential for Prelims, you are at liberty to style your presentation in as creative a manner as possible (e.g. gameshow, skit, speech of great rhetoric, etc). In fact, if your intention is to stand out from the rest and shine, you should aim to do this (just remember there is a time limit).

Things to omit from your presentation

Role assignment for team members (this is an internal matter – the judges don’t need to know this)

Timeline of project (this is fixed anyway)

Other admin detailsTitle of Project – update the judges during Prelims 1 if there’s a change.

Venue, schedule of Prelims – released through EMB.

Date of Prelims: 8 Apr 2014

Q&A• Clarifications regarding the project

requirements, portfolios?

• On-site critique of your potential challenges / Fundamental Problem?

• Mentorship issues?

Thank you, work hard & good luck!