VISUAL TOOLS FOR STUDENT PROJECTS:
Communicating
Critical Thinking
From the first chapter:
Creating the question or the topic for student projects can be the most agonizing part of the whole process. Having students brainstorm ideas, either singly or in groups, is productive. These are a few questions and guidelines that may help. Encourage students to stay within the general subject area of the project assignment. Read more...
Built as a collaboration between The Creative Learning Exchange and The Gelfand Family Charitable Trust. This booklet is designed to help teachers and students create and
complete all kinds of projects (in science and other curricula) which clearly show and explain the critical thinking incorporated within the project.
After exploring how to create a question, the booklet continues in other key areas such as: communicating thinking with visual tools, how to use the visual tools of systems thinking, and assessing Visual Tools for
Communicating Critical Thinking.
Download the booklet and explore!
Thinking About Drinking
What are the effects of drinking alcohol? A new simulation from the Creative Learning Exchange explores just that concern. Use the simulation and lesson to see what happens over time to one’s Blood Alcohol Concentration (or BAC) following the consumption of alcohol.
Try the simulation!
2014 Systems Thinking Dynamic Modeling Conference
Babson Executive Conference Center, Wellesley, MA | June 28 - June 30, 2014
INTEGRATING LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS
The Systems Thinking and Dynamic Modeling Conference for K-12 education will provide resources and opportunity for educators and interested citizens to explore what is current and possible in K-12 systems education.
Join us this year for INTRODUCTORY TRAINING!
Attend a workshop the day before the conference and tailor-made sessions woven throughout the conference to increase your knowledge and help you integrate the offerings of the conference. Work with systems mentors during 11 hours of introductory content.
NEW! 2014 Program (Draft)
Register Now or Learn More
Can't make it to the Boston area for our conference? Check out Camp Snowball in Portland, OR instead! This is a great learning opportunity for those interested in learning more about systems thinking and system dynamics.
Dollars and Sense II: Our Interest in Interest, Managing Savings, and Debt
by Jeff Potash and the CLE
Dollars and Sense II challenges students to understand how compound interest affects their personal financial lives, through savings, credit cards, installment loans and mortgages.
Simulations contained in 8 lessons emphasize practical hands-on learning (experimenting, making mistakes) in using systems thinking and mathematical tools to manage their financial futures. The materials include Instructor Guides and Student Worksheets.
Learn more....
The Water Bottle Project
Participants at Camp Snowball 2011 use a water bottle activity to learn the concepts of stocks and flows.
More videos....
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A Structure for Assessing Systems Thinking
by Richard Plate and Martha Monroe
Many educators agree on the importance of systems thinking. Indeed, it has reached buzzword status, with many state and national educational guidelines acknowledging the importance of systems thinking skills. Recent evidence of the support for systems thinking can be seen in Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), which now contain “cross-cutting concepts” that sound very much like systems thinking, including one explicitly on “systems and systems models” (NGSS, 2013).
However, even though the foundational concepts and methods of systems thinking have been around for decades (e.g., Forester 1961), progress toward a standard way of assessing systems thinking skills in a way that translates to broader educational goals has been slow. …
…In this paper we suggest a structure for evaluating the level of systems thinking in students. Designing such a structure requires clarity with regard to educational goals and objectives. In short, we must ask, what is the long-term goal of systems-oriented curriculum, and what are reasonable shorter-term, achievable objectives?
Read more in The Exchange...
More articles at the CLE by Jeff Potash
Thinking Systemically about Common Core
Mathematical Practice Standards:
“Mathematically Proficient Students can…”
by Jeff Potash
As system thinkers and dynamic modelers, we strive to apply our unique tools and perspective to foster in ourselves and in our students a deeper understanding of how to perceive and manage change. Behavior-over-time graphs, stock/flow diagrams, causal/feedback loops, and computer models combine to nurture a powerful set of critical thinking skills.
Effectively used, systems tools and concepts build skills and habits of mind over time that deepen learning, challenge preconceptions, build new conceptual frames, and enhance student confidence to translate learning into action in becoming systems citizens.
Read more in The Exchange...
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Systems Thinking and Dynamic Modeling Conference
Babson College, Wellesley, MA
June 28 – June 30, 2014
INTEGRATING LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS
The Systems Thinking and Dynamic Modeling Conference for K-12 education will provide resources and opportunity for educators and interested citizens to explore what is current and possible in K-12 systems education.
Learn more.... Read more in The Exchange... or Register here!
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN CONTRIBUTING TO THE CONFERENCE?
Proposals for presentations deadline extended to February 5, 2014.
Learn more.....
NEW!! INTRODUCTORY TRAINING IN SYSTEMS THINKING
A new, introductory workshop will be held at Babson Executive Conference Center on June 27th, the day before the conference. This training workshop will include 8 hours on Friday (9 AM — 5 PM), breaks and lunch on Friday, a 3-hour workshop session on Saturday afternoon, and mentorship time scheduled during the conference, tailor-made to increase your knowledge and help you integrate the offerings of the conference. Work with systems mentors with decades of experience in 11 hours of introductory content and utilize their guidance in integrating the stimulating material and discussion presented throughout. The workshop is offered for an additional fee of $110.00. This does not include lodging on Friday night.
Register here
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Download The Exchange vol 23.1 |
