Design based learning lab
On saturday Feb. 24th I took a peer coaching class with Doreen Nelson who has been involved in developing a design method approach for teaching and learning since 1969. She is recognized as one of the 30 most innovative educators in the US. Doreen’s method can be applied to teach any discipline, and age group, from kinder garden to university. In other words her teaching and learning process can indeed translate to any environment, even a corporate one.
We began with an interesting discussion touching from John Dewey –learning by doing, Maria Montessori –child centered learning, the learning has to come from the children, Piaget – cognitive psychology, and Socrates – asking questions, to Harvard University Project Zero that introduced the concept of the “Hugging Experience” that I will explain later..
Doreen’s process is meant to enable higher level thinking skills. It inverts the traditional “replication” teaching approach, which consists on sharing information on a subject and then doing an exercise about it, like reading a book and then writing a report on it… “Backwards Thinking starts with the highest level of thought: asking for creativity, originality and invention.”
We began by identifying “Standards”, what you need to teach. Based on those “Standards” you ask students to develop a “never seen before (future thinking) 3D object” that meets an specific “Criteria (dont’s wants & needs)” developed from the “Standards”. This process called “Action”, is also called “Hugging Experience” in Harvard university Project Zero.
Students get a limited amount of time to create the “Hugging Experience” exploring new ways to do things, and/or trying to predict how things will be done in the future. It does not have to be perfect is about understanding concepts and applying them in a tangible personal creation. Once the “Hugging Experience” is completed the group share the work and concepts, discovering that a “Bridge” has been built that allows them to move into the “Lesson” with a deeper knowledge and understanding on what is about to be covered.
Isn’t it amazing?
We did a short exercise applying this method. Our task was to create a never seen before learning space. We as a group created a list of “Don’t wants”, and Doreen gave us the list of “Needs” which where: Educate the whole child: emotional, academic, social and physical. Safe space, personal space, small group space, large group space, display space, storage space and relaxation space.
To my surprise every single project was unique, different and had an innovation. The beauty of the exercise and sharing session was that the values and priorities of each one of the authors, including me, became crystal clear through the decisions made on the spaces.
Based on the given criteria I developed an open space, where everything is movable, all the furniture is light-weight with curved corners, all the walls, storage and display areas are multifunctional and have wheels. My space has a bright yellow cave for climbing on top of it, and for thinking and meditation purposes inside it. I included several different kinds of chairs, some of them where huge plastic inflatable balls (that I do use at home and at work). When I presented my “learning space” the feedback from the group was that it was clear that I am a flexible, open person, that cares very much about each individual.
It was a fascinating experience. I am so looking forward to take the full seminar in August! Summer Institute for teachers at Art Center College of Design.
February 28th, 2007