“By blending technology in education with a mindful approach, integrating it seamlessly rather than putting the tool at the forefront, we allow the students’ experiences to take center stage.” (Innovating Play, page 8)
On Monday, December 28th we moderated the #TLAP (Teach Like a Pirate) chat on Twitter. We collected the discussion in Wakelet and are including it at the end of this post in case you missed the chat. We also wanted to share some insight that went into the question design for this chat.
Design Thinking for Global Collaboration:
For the #TLAP chat, we pulled some topics from our Innovating Play book to discuss. Each question in the chat followed the design thinking flow that we use in building the collaboration between our classes. Our hope was that by educators experiencing this flow, it would help them to explore ways to integrate this approach with their students.
Question that Supports Sense of Self
Before we reach out into the big world to connect with others, we establish a sense of safety for each individual student. We develop blended experiences that allow children to see, understand, and reflect on their feelings and experience as learners.
Q1: Look at the Feelings Check-In Heart. Share how you are feeling right now and why! Later, you can click on the feeling to discover a strategy to explore it. Then, try it with your students and share your experience on the #innovatingplay hashtag.
Question that Supports Sense of Family Connection
Family connection plays a central role in the process of learning to create consistency, depth in relationships, and nurturing of meaningful learning experiences. This creates a foundation of trust that will support broadening of experiences beyond the classroom.
Q2: What is something you have learned about the importance of family connection during this school year?
Question that Supports Sense of Community
We spend time developing the culture of each individual class community by creating common routines and rituals that establish a shared language and vocabulary for interaction.
Q3 What is a ritual or routine you have established in order to create a supportive and inclusive community of learners this year?
Question that Supports Collaboration Between Classes
Once these pieces are in place, a rich interaction between classes can begin to unfold with meaningful, blended, student-driven experiences at the forefront!
Q4: If you could collaborate with another class from another location, or assist teachers with collaborating, what topics might you explore?