Remember, the blog assignments are due by 6am on Thursday. This allows me ample time to review your posts and to generate discussion questions as I prepare for our class. Thanks!
There's a lot to do this week. Some will take more time than others. We're going to continue to discuss "what knowledge is of most worth", divergent thinking and education, and teaching and learning on a global scale...a lot on our plates!
Reminder-each item should be a separate post using the titles I provide. :-)
1. Title: Divergent Thinking Puzzles
The handout I gave you in class "Divergent thinking/higher order thinking" had a number of definitions, examples and a puzzle. I'd like you to do a few things with this. First, Apple Pie Slicing, the puzzle on the handout...you may work on this with others. In fact, it would be more useful if you were to try it with others...(two or more heads are better than one in this case!).
Next, the tri-square puzzle. I'd like you to try it first, and then I'd like you to get two other people (not in the class) to try it (they can't see each other do it-so pick separate times). The first person you ask to do it you will not assist. What happens? The 2nd person you ask to do it you will please give them "clues" or suggest possibilities, helping them to figure it out, without actually doing it for them. Please report back here your experiences doing it yourself, watching someone figure it out, and helping someone to figure it out.
Lastly, the handout I provided on "invisible disability" was referenced by Sir Ken Robinson in the video you watched last week on changing education paradigms. Thoughts? What does this MEAN for us?
2. Title: If I were the teacher...
For this post please create a list of comments or questions (at least 10) a teacher might ask in order to promote divergent/higher order thinking in the classroom. Let's pretend you're the teacher. The class is an American history class and you have 30 10th graders. What will you say, what might you do, in order to promote higher order thinking...and, importantly, what will the students need to have (knowledge-wise) in order for you to be able to do this well....can it all be problem-posing...will there be times you would need to "lecture"...use rich descriptions to bring this classroom alive for us (who are reading this).
3. Title: Measuring student success around the world
A few things to do here. First, Andreas Schleicher has some very important things to say about teaching and learning. I have had the opportunity to listen to him in person--he is very inspiring. Please watch this quick overview. Make note of the things he thinks are most important, and what he thinks education is doing well...
Next, view this short video. This is a good overview for you to have--and supports the discussions we've had in the past few weeks. Plus, it's just darned entertaining to watch! Please watch it carefully and create a summary of what the PISA organization is, how they assess learning, (some great test questions, don't you think?!), how the information is used, and what some of their findings are. What caught your interest? What intrigued you? What follow up questions do you wish you could ask the narrator?
Last, this is another video of Andreas Schleicher. He talks more specifically about what we can do...what needs to be different...to impact education-which leads to economic outcomes.
Just for fun...Check out the conference that is referenced in the videos (actually, the organization is referenced, not the conference). It's not too late to attend!! See what you find--if you were going to this conference, what would you attend? What would you want to know more about? Who would you want to hear?
Please reflect (in writing here) on the videos, answering the questions I've posed, and including the thoughts and questions it poses for you...what else do you need to know about this?
4. Title: A dissenting opinion on Freire's essay on the banking concept of education vs problem posing
We talked about this a bit in class, but I would also like you to read this essay--the author provides a differing view of what Freire believes...it's at least worth knowing a different way to look at these teaching methods (and the resulting learning). Please comment on your views after reading the essay. Do you agree with some of what the author (Reese) is saying? Does he make some valid points? In case you have trouble connecting to this webpage, here's another way to access it.
5. What knowledge is of most worth?
Given the article you've read this past week (What Knowledge is of Most Worth) please provide your own list of what knowledge YOU think is of most worth and WHY. This need not be a lengthy post, but it must be evident that you have read the material and thoughtfully considered WHY certain knowledge is more worthy...provide justification for your decision(s).
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