I am teaching a class where I allow the students a set amount of time to draw out what they know about a subject. Today, the students did their pre-class work, then came to class, and we began to draw things out. At first they look at me a little funny when I ask them to draw. Then, they dig in and explain what they think the subject is all about. Usually it takes about 25% of class time to get them through this phase. Today, they wanted to remain in this drawing/ scaffolding phase. They were going deeper than any class has ever gone in their reasoning and understanding of a difficult subject. It was pretty cool.
Here is what I do in my classes… (the ant is an analogy, I don’t get to teach about ants).
What would you add?
~Mia
An Ethical Island 
I am intrigued to know what your difficult subject was today? It will help me put your ant scaffolding in context. Another clever infographic!
The topic was- What is evil? Are people evil, is it a force (mental or spiritual)….? Can good people do evil things- Zimbardo’s Lucifer effect? What if someone takes responsibility, are we more likely to do evil? A very large concept (maybe 50xs our size) for us little people (ants).
Thanks Mia, that gives me a useful way of envisaging how you used your scaffolding method. Out of interest…have you seen Zimbardo’s Prezi: ‘My journey from evil to heroism’? http://prezi.com/1audtzyxqmmv/my-journey-from-evil-to-heroism/ If not, you may find it useful.
Yes! That was awesome. I forwarded it to my class. Thank you! Thank you!
And this is why I love education and the internet- We can share resources across the world.
~ Mia
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Thanks!!!
~Mia
Thanks a lot, Mia, Simple but very powerful strategy !! Do you mind if I share this at scoop.it and also to the teachers taking part at our seminars? http://hmh-met-mintegia.wikispaces.com/home.
Thanks! Sure, you can share it.
mia
This is a great example of scaffolding and I love the that kids draw what they know and then what they have learned. It is exactly models the scientific method (Question, Hypothesis (based on previous knowledge), Research (Experiment), and Analysis of research as it compares to the hypothesis, and finally making a conclusion or next research question based on the analysis! Very cool!
Reblogged this on Rhondda's Reflections – wandering around the Web and commented:
A simple but effective way to encourage deeper understanding