A few weeks ago my class used some of the tools recently listed on the #NoToshLab http://notosh.com/lab/design-thinking-tools-to-help-make-thinking-visible-nesta-diy/ page to help them move their questions from #simplequestions to#complexquestions . The tools were great and helped the students to see, understand and create meaningful lines of inquiry in their discovery/immersion.
Today without any prompting, students employed these skills and I was wishing that my camera was on hand to record their questions but I was too busy being blown away. Students were presenting the information they had found about topics of interest to do with our Historical Design Thinking exploration this term. As with all presentations the students had opportunities for questions and don't get me wrong there were plenty of simple questions such as "Why did you choose to look at convicts?" "What was your favourite part?"...
However, the following questions brought the smile to my face:
#1
"How has your level of understanding changed since learning about the Convicts?" To which the student replied: "At the beginning of this I knew a few things about Convicts so my understanding is here(showed understanding using hand signals to represent SOLO Levels of Understanding) and now I am here(again using hand signals) because I know... I am not quite here(highest level) because..."
#2
"In your opinion do you think it was right for the British government to bring Convicts to Australia?" To which this student replied: "I think that is was right and wrong. It was right because if they had not come here then we would not be here and it was wrong because the Aboriginals were here already and this was their land."
It is great to see the students taking on and applying the strategies and tools they are learning!#happyteacher