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March 27, 2015
Revisiting Visible Thinking
First, everyone thinks but being cognizant of what we think and how we think goes further in understanding other complex thinking processes. It takes effort and deliberate practice to achieve a higher level of cognition. Teaching this process to the students only facilitates greater learning capacity because they have moved beyond memorization of facts or regurgitation to a self-efficient, aware, and productive individual.
Second, we, teachers, need to know not only what the students are thinking but how they are thinking it. We should enrich their current thinking with opportunities extending the knowledge level. It is assisting the students in thorough organization and understanding of what they are trying to convey or solve. It is not merely telling students to correct a problem, it is teaching and modeling to students how they can achieve this self-reliance through specific strategies.
- Deeper understanding of content
- Greater motivation for learning
- Development of learners' thinking and learning abilities.
- Development of learners' attitudes toward thinking and learning and their alertness to opportunities for thinking and learning (the "dispositional" side of thinking).
- A shift in classroom culture toward a community of enthusiastically engaged thinkers and learners.
Are you providing opportunities for visible thinking?
You may be familiar with Think, Pair, Share or the K-W-L chart that are both good examples of what visible thinking encompasses but below are a few more.
Core Routine #1: See, Think, Wonder
What do you see? (I see...)
What do you think about that? (I think...)
What does it make you wonder? (I wonder...)
Use the questions above to drive the thinking for interpretations or perspectives of something they observe. This is a great activity to begin a unit or as a unifying activity to connect several themes.
It enables students to describe what they see, question ahead, justify their responses, and most importantly, allows for further curiosity and inquiry.
Your turn to try...
(photos courtesy of The Onion and EdWeek, respectively)
See, Think, Wonder in Action
Apps to facilitate Routine #1
AudioBoom
Web 2.0 & app
Lino
Web 2.0 & app
Padlet
Web 2.0 & app
Core Routine #2: Generate, Sort, Connect, Elaborate
Select a topic, concept, or issue for which you want to map your understanding.
- Generate a list of ideas and initial thoughts that come to mind when you think about this particular topic/issue.
- Sort your ideas according to how central or tangential they are. Place central ideas near the center and more tangential ideas toward the outside of the page.
- Connect your ideas by drawing connecting lines between ideas that have something in common. Explain and write in a short sentence how the ideas are connected.
- Elaborate on any of the ideas/thoughts you have written so far by adding new ideas that expand, extend, or add to your initial ideas.
Continue generating, connecting, and elaborating new ideas until you feel you have a good representation of your understanding.
Apps to facilitate Routine #2
BigMind
App
InkFlow
App
Stickyboard free
App
Routine #3: Headlines
Headlines assists students think about "the essence" of an event, idea, concept, or topic. The routine asks one core question:
1. If you were to write a headline for this topic or issue right now that captured the most important aspect that should be remembered, what would that headline be?
A second question involves probing how students' ideas of what is most important and central to the topic being explored have changed over time:
2. How has your headline changed based on today's discussion? How does it differ from what you would have said yesterday?
Apps to facilitate Routine #3
81Dash
Web 2.0
Poster My Wall
Web 2.0
OneNote
Web 2.0 & app
Brain Break!
Like these brain breaks, try them in your class!
Books, books, books!
Visible Thinking from Ron Ritchhart
NAEYC & Visible Thinking
Tools to Enhance Young Children’s Thinking by Angela K. Salmon, 2010.
Tech Enlightenment
Don't forget your 12+ hours of technology professional development this year.
Look at the Gallego or Zachry calendars and on the homepage. My trainings are offered to anyone interested. I am here to provide you with the ideas and technology power to succeed in the classroom. The registration links are set up, if you are interested. Don't miss out or get left behind! Check out LISD's training calendar for fantastic trainings. If interested, please get approval by administration before registering. Use Edivate or Atomic Learning to gain 3 online hours.
In addition, take the survey afterwards found in the District Surveys section under the District Resources tab.
A reminder...
Be sure you keep up with your e-mails morning and afternoon. If you need help adding or using Office 365 e-mail on the iPad, do not hesitate to ask, I can assist you.
Be sure to subscribe to my teacher groups for Gallego and Zachry with Remind. I keep you up to date with reminders on tech trainings and surveys! Check your email for the code/message. It is voluntary and free. Inquire if you would like to set it up with your class and parents!
Extra Freebie
Cynthia L. Piña
District Technology Trainer/Specialist @ Laredo ISD
● Symbaloo ● Microsoft Educator Community ● Pinterest ●
Email: clpina@laredoisd.org
Website: https://smore.com/u/pinatechtrainer
Location: Laredo, TX, United States
Phone: 956.273.1341
Twitter: @pinatechtrainer