A new kind of student …
Last fall, two of my former students and I presented at York RegionDSB’s Quest Conference: Deep Learning in a Digital World Below are short interviews where we explain the power of Integrative Thinking, Design Thinking
To Mary Ann Reilly Who Needs Our Help
When I think of the many people who’ve influenced my thinking and pedagogical practice, Mary Ann Reilly stands central among them. I encountered her blog by accident – through twitter – when twitter was just
The Ottawa Think Tank on Transforming the Learning Experience
This week I had the pleasure of travelling to Ottawa to participate in a Think Tank organized by one of Ontario’s French boards: CECCE. It was a wonderful experience – and a humbling one. As
It’s About the Shift, Not the Conclusion
The focus of the entire year in my class is how to be a better thinker, collaborator and problem-solver. Students learn to use thinking tools and then constantly reflect on how their thinking abilities have
Bring IT Together 2015
Bring IT Together has come and gone. I presented a half-day workshop on Wednesday and the closing keynote on Friday. What a fantastic experience! There were over 120 people at the workshop and for a
Tearing Apart an Idea
This week we spent time considering ideas, and how to think about them. I had circulated through the class asking, “What have you always wondered about?” and recorded their thoughts. These thoughts became the
Almost there! Bring IT Together 2015
It is only a few weeks until Bring IT Together, Ontario’s education technology conference. I am thrilled to be presenting an introductory workshop on Integrative Thinking on November 4th and even more thrilled to be
Refining the Knowledge Building Circle
My use of the knowledge building circle is becoming more deliberate and refined. This year I’ve introduced it earlier and we go to it more frequently.
Building Robust Ideas
I am often asked by those wishing to improve classroom practice, “Where do I begin?”. Every teacher develops systems to start the school year and I have over the past few years devised, brought together
Canada’s First Civic Design Camp
Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending and presenting at Canada’s first Civic Design Camp held at the MaRS Discovery District in Toronto. The purpose of the day was to bring designers, public servants