To see the big picture, make connections, grasp the nuances of the topic students must be able to form an understanding that is both relevant and personal. The whole kit and kaboodle I call it, is formulated when students are given strategies to help them make sense of new information while combining it with prior knowledge. When various techniques are used in order for students to make sense of the content: explanation, interpretation, application, perspective, empathy, and self-knowledge. Together these facets create a kit for learning and comprehension.
I always start with an explanation to provide knowledgeable and justified accounts of events actions, and ideas. This process is usually undertaken through prediction, modeling, and demonstration. A warm-up or ticket-in-the-door. I then provide a time for students to interpret the data collected from the warm-up. Narratives, translations, analogies, images such as cartoons or comic strips to provide a visual representation, create a personal meaningful piece of art. Illustration is a great tool because it is both personal and creative while combining prior and new knowledge. For visual learners this is a great tool. The more they draw and label the more it becomes memorable.
Application of the newly acquired information is key to helping students make sense and add this to their schema. The ability to use knowledge effectively in new situations and diverse contexts is important. Being able to look at data and apply it to all curriculum helps students see education as a connected and vibrant process not isolated and inflexible. By deciding new ways to take notes, designing new models in the makerspace, performing activities and labs, even debates and Edcamps all add depth to the application process. Debates and Edcamps also cross over into the next facet of understanding, perspective. Recognizing, accepting and processing critical insights and point-of-view are both social and personal aspects of learning. To keep a growth-mindset students need to appreciate that there are different perspectives and ideas and this is what makes science so incredible.
Empathy comes naturally to some and it is a challenge for others. But, putting ourselves in someone elses shoes is an important personal skill. The ability to get inside another person's feelings and world view is necessary for many reasons. Technology etiquette, diversity, to eliminate judgement, racism, sexism, religious intolerance all stems from empathy. It is demonstrated in my class by reading stories about scientists and people around the world, their culture, their backgrounds, their amazing gifts to humanity. By seeing a connection between cultures we find commonalities. By accepting the diversity of the world we see human kind as a whole not separate factions. We are unique in our thinking and customs and ideas, beautiful and individual but we are also a mosaic of blending. A landscape of growth and development.
Finally, self-knowledge occurs when students have the wisdom to know their ignorance and how to grow from it. How to push themselves forward, lean in to failure, and progress at their own pace. To understand how they think, how to incorporate strategies to help them process information better. How to interpret and analyze data to fit their needs and goals. To see that there are multiple ways to accomplish a task. Tom embrace their individuality but also recognize the strengths of others. to seek opportunities for growth. All of these facets combines: explanation, interpretation, application, perspective, empathy, and self-knowledge create life-long learners. To help our students build the whole kit and kaboodle we need to present the strategies and step back and let them fly.
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