Thinking Routines

Introduction

PZ Thinking Routines from Sue Borchardt on Vimeo.

This section of the Web site provides ideas for using technology to support and enhance the Making Thinking Visible thinking routines. You can jump right to the routines by selecting the links above or continue to read this introduction for some background information that can help along the way. Do note that the one needs to have some background in using the thinking routines before using the resources listed here.

In the book Making Thinking Visible, Ron Ritchhart, Mark Church, and Karin Morisson help readers understand the power of thinking routines to guide them to develop cultures of thinking. They define cultures of thinking as “places where a group’s collective as well as individual thinking is valued, visible and actively promoted as part of the regular, day-to-day experience of all group members.” (Kindle version 4357-65) The authors go on to explain that they use the word “places” to note that cultures of learning take place in boardrooms and meeting rooms- not just the classroom.

Definitely look to read the Making Thinking Visible book. A helpful starting point is to read an article by Ron Ritchhart and David Perkins entitled Making Thinking Visible and to go through the Harvard Project Zero Thinking Routine Toolbox. Another resource for routines and protocols is the National School Reform Faculty- NSRF terrific A to Z listing.

One of the purposes of this section of the Web Resources for Learning Web site is to share how technology can be used in the classroom to support and at times enhance the use of the thinking routines as you use them to reach the learning goals of your lessons. A second purpose connects to the authors’ point that cultures of learning also can take place outside of the classroom. In this case the "place" is a virtual learning space where students and teachers interact. Thus, you will find tools and practices here that support blended learning which helps build cultures of learning by using online tools where students can work individually and in groups outside of the classroom.

April 2020 Update- Wherever you see where you see "blended" learning in the application of the routines, please add "and virtual" as all of the technologies and delivery activities can be done through online learning. Look to bring new technologies into your pedagogy as many teachers around the world are now virtual teachers of the thinking routines. Search to find the best tools for the task as you virtually deliver the thinking routines. Jim Reese brought me up to date with the latest Smithsonian Institute education efforts to use videos to teaching to teach various thinking routines. The video series is called "EZ PZ with the Smithsonian". Look to review the videos and my listing of tech supported approaches to design your own approach to virtual teaching of the routines. I added the EZ PZ links to my listing of the routines. Another resources is the Visible Thinking & Teaching for Understanding in a Distance Learning Environment document put together by Carole Geneix, 6-12 Washington International School (WIS) Director of Teaching and Learning, and Jaime Chao-Mignano, 6-12 WIS STEAM Community Coordinator.

The listed tools connected to each routine represent categories of tools. They are offered as examples with the understanding that you can find several other tools that best meet the your needs and those of your students. For example, here is a listing of 15 mind mapping tools. This is especially the case with apps. Note that only iPad apps are listed here. In many cases there are similar ones for Android tablets. One technology that applies to all the routines is the projector and screen for teacher and student sharing.

The digital nature of the tools allows the technology to replace the use of paper and markers. The tools are offered here with the understanding that they can replace and hopefully enhance the use of the routines. One can think in terms of using tools to Replace, Amplify and Transform the learning. This approach to technology integration uses the RAT acronym. This approach originates from the work of three professors at the University of Minnesota.

With students using laptops and/or phones/tablets, the tools listed here can be used to make more efficient use of time while giving teachers quick and easy access to document student thinking made visible. The ultimate goal is to transform learning helping our students go deeper in their thinking and understanding. Of course there are times when using technology can be a less productive than using paper and markers. It is up to you the teacher to determine what works best for your students for each lesson. It can be helpful to consult with one’s librarian and instructional technologist for planning and support if you decide to go digital with some of the routines.

Looking at blended learning, the online tools give teachers the opportunity to blend their thinking routine lessons between face to face and having students use them outside of class time. While many of the routines really support in class topic introduction and thinking activation, there are opportunities to extend the learning giving students more time to process, collaborate and reflect outside of class. Research shows that a portion of our students are more willing to engage in virtual discussions and collaboration as opposed to speaking up in class. Often the quiet students find their voice when using online sharing tools like blogs, forums, Google Docs and other ways where they have more control over time to be selective in what they share.

The first step if you are new to the thinking routines is to purchase the book and the included DVD that gives examples of the routines in practice. The authors very clearly outline each routine and then share what they look like in practice drawing on teachers’ experiences. As you become familiar and start trying the routines, you will find which situations, lessons and learning goals each of the routines can best support. The supportive technologies listed here add an additional dimension on how to leverage the routines to make your classrooms all about student thinking, connection making and constructivist learning.

Note that this is the “alpha” version of this section of the Web Site. My hope is that Project Zero veterans will over time assist me in refining and further developing how each routine can be supported and enhanced by using technology. Hopefully this will be the first of many iterations to come.

Image Source RAT