Can you boost engagement, problem solving and critical thinking in the classroom?

Can you boost engagement, problem solving and critical thinking in the classroom?

This is a difficult topic to summarize so we found a few articles to help shape our thinking.

Guiding Students to See Themselves as Changemakers

We all want to make a difference but what can we do? We expect the kids to leave our care and then start making a difference in the world so how do we start changemaking now?

Following the methods in this article you can start that process today in the classroom.

Here are a few BIG ideas I got from reading.

• The UN Sustainable Development Goals. These are all wicked problems with many solutions. This article will show you how to start breaking them down into smaller parts. This is key to any problem solving or design thinking, the problem must be dissected.
• Writing the challenge question mad libs style is one of the best ways to rework the problem into common everyday language. If we can wrap our heads around it, there is a chance we can start investigating.
• Step two talks about the user. This reminds me a lot of Design Thinking, using empathy to get in the head of the person you are designing for.
• Best part of step three is how to turn the disengagement around.

What stands out about the method this article suggest is how dismantling a problem you introduce problem solving and critical thinking about a real world problems we face. I feel when things are relevant and connected to the world, the learning takes a great leap forward.

I like how this method is somewhat scripted to help you and the students through the process.

3 Tips for Creating Math Word Problems That Boost Critical Thinking

The author lists three steps, which are somewhat abstract, to creating real world problems. This pair nicely with the article above.

I wish this article gave more examples but the three step thinking framework is worth reading then connecting to one of the other articles.

How to Engage Students in Historical Thinking Using Everyday Objects

I like this right away, it lists four simple steps!

I do think step one is a great example of how to break down a vocabulary word, linking to examples they can see and things they can pick up. I have read about teachers using 3D printers to print replicas of actual historical artifacts. Taking the abstract and turning it physical can help kids make a stronger connection.

Step two links to a worksheet that will help the kids analyze what is, or isn't, an artifact by using simple criteria. I see the steps below as an interesting way to get kids to think critically during the identification process.

• Who used it? List reasons you think so.
• What was it used for? List reasons you think so.
• What does this tell you about the people who made and used it?
• What does it tell you about technology at the time it was made?

Similar to what the other articles mention, using these methods help boost engagement thought some simple problem solving techniques.

Starting Critical Thinking and Collaboration Early

Early in the video they show a kindergarten class in centers. What stood out to me was the idea of giving feedback on an artifact, something the kids were creating.

They started with noticing and then moved to the creator who explains what they did. The students follow up with a wonder, questions they ask to the creator.

The final is a suggestion or an inspiring. I believe this gives the creator some ideas on how to grow or where to go next.

This process of real feedback and working in center is a great way to boost engagement and critical thinking. I liked this method for giving feedback, it give known steps for the kids to follow. If I know what is expected I will likely hit the mark.

My big takeaway is the four question process they used to talk about the work that is happening in the classroom.

A Deceptively Simple Strategy for Promoting Critical Thinking

I like how simple this method is. If you can get kids to share and visually represent what they are thinking, more ideas are generally discovered.

While you could use something like Jamboard, the physical writing/drawing does something magical with the kids. They want to physically create without screens.

I liked how each group could represent the learning in their own unique ways. The conversation, gallery walk, after will most likely create new connections to the learning as the classmates explain their thinking.

Next Steps

What connections can you make with the ideas each article presented?

What is one way you could increase the engagement, critical thinking and problem solving in your classroom tomorrow?