ABSTRACT
A person charged with solving a problem must have investigated the problem from various angles and sources in order to comprehend the problem and along the way have gathered sufficient evidence to bolster conclusions one way or another about the problem. A literate person, therefore, has ready evidence upon which to base beliefs and sufficient ammunition to argue against other beliefs. In similar fashion, problem solvers must be literate about the problem and the solutions. This is the first step in problem solving. The Stanford Design Thinking process starts with Empathy, or in other words, knowing students problem so well that student can empathize with those people suffering from it. Lateral thinking involves a process and a series of thinking tools that contradict the prevalent attitude that creativity just happens serendipitously, out of the blue, and the solution falls into students lap. Creativity is hard work, hard mental work.
