See how Design Thinking has gone in Brisbane

Hi everyone. It's been a while since we met in Sandvika. After our brief design thinking workshop, some of you had questions left unanswered, questions that I could have answered, third hand, and not very usefully perhaps for you. Instead, and I hope the delay is forgiven (!), I waited until we could grab some of our teachers in Brisbane who've been working on using the design thinking models in their own classrooms (secondary and elementary). 

Four schools we were working with made 'pitches' about their work, lasting no more than five minutes or so. They answer some of the key questions, such as:

1. How can we make sure all students cover the curriculum? (the answer is that they cover the curriculum AND some, going beyond what is required of them by age and stage in most cases).

2. How do students react to design thinking process? Are they as frustrated as we were yesterday? (the answer is, yes, they find it challenging, particularly those who've been used to being 'spoon fed' in the past).

3. Have you seen any change in the students' results on tests and exams when using design thinking compared to 'traditional' teaching? (I asked this question of each group and, without any hesitation, they said there were marked improvements in whichever content or skills were being tested. They put this down to much heightened engagement over time).

Have a watch of some of their pitches, or all of them. They might provide an interesting focus for your next staff meeting. Even though three out of the four schools were primary schools, the pedagogical approach remains the same, with just as impressive an impact:

One week to go - help me form the keynote

In a week I'll be in Sandvika, working with teachers, in-house, on developing design thinking skills as a way to approach curriculum, content and formative assessment. The keynote, the following day, has the title of "Opportunities around the world in building effective learning communities". It's large in many senses, and I want your help to shape what we talk about:

1. What are your biggest challenges in collaboration, in your own classroom or with schools overseas?
2. Does collaboration always add value to learning? Is it an overused word? An overused strategy?
3. How do you work out if you want students to collaborate or not on their learning? Is it a decision you take? Or is it one solely in the hands of the learner?

Please do take a few minutes out of your day to reply to this, however quickly, so that I can try to get the angle of my talk just right for you. Many thanks in advance!

1 - Balance of control?

One Shall Fall: En Garde! (1908) by postaletrice
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Please help with the discussion for the keynote by adding your responses to the following discussion point:

  • What is the balance of control between the teacher and the learner?
  • Are you currently satisfied with relationships within your education community (leadership, parents, community, etc)?

Just click on reply at the bottom of the post or if you are viewing this in your email client, just reply to this email and it will appear on the blog.

 

Welcome!

Sandvika by night by Miller©Foto
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Hi everyone Tom Barrett here! Welcome along to your space for the project that is kicking off very soon with Ewan McIntosh. We have created this space for you to reflect on your learning journey, to connect with other learning communities and to be a place where we can continue the conversation with you.

Although purpose built for you and your learning community this is a public site and can be viewed and commented on by anyone.

You are contributors too! This is not a one way channel, we want you to post content, ideas, questions and points of interest. We hope it will prove useful for you to share learning milestones in the development that we are supporting you with.

Why not kick off by saying "hi" and your current role, in the comments below. (Also look out for the first of a series of questions you can respond to in the next few days.)