ThinkCube Users Group

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8 Comments

Comment by kessam71 on September 8, 2008 at 8:54am

Hi Jimmy,

Glad you got a chance to meet Alex... he really does have some great ideas for ThinkCube and I am having a lot of fun working with him.

Would love to see some of your ideas! I hope all is well with your family.

Comment by James S H Johnston MBE on September 5, 2008 at 2:18pm

Hi Sue & Kes

Since meeting Alex - I have had a great time - he has some superb ideas about thinkcube and its potential

He has also managed to get my creative thoughts working overtime and given me other avenues to consider for the future - I may or may not take them up - family circumstances are an issue at present

keep watching this space - who knows? - btw - Thanks Alex

Jimmy

Comment by James S H Johnston MBE on June 10, 2008 at 6:22am

OK
I have a lunchtime meeting with Alex today, to see a 'thinkcube' in the flesh 'so to speak'. Really looking forward to taking ideas forward - watch this space.
Jimmy

Comment by UKJohn on June 4, 2008 at 11:58am

"Apart from Kes -
has anyone used thinkcube?"

Yes. I had a brainstorming session on Sunday with Mary. We picked a general topic: "How to make the roads safer". It was a very productive, enjoyable session and very thought provoking. I'll be mailing some thoughts to Kes, and hopefully when time is being kind I'll post some of the ideas in a blog post.

We'll be looking to try another problem/challenge in the near future so if anyone has any thoughts on possible challenges then could they let me know! Perhaps - looking to the long term - we could create a compendium of problems/challenges on here?

J

Comment by James S H Johnston MBE on June 4, 2008 at 5:15am

Hi All

Until I manage to locate a copy (chatted with Alex recently) I have been considering the 'quick start' instructions and I attempted to expand some earlier lesson plans, which were taught using powerpoint and interactive whiteboard.

The first aspect which jumped out - was that I realised the 'thinkcube' provided a suitable insight into how the participants may view the proposed lesson. I've used 'thinking skills' techniques before and had success with pupils quickly understanding that there are no wrong answers if you are able to justify your selection.

'Thinkcube' immediately reduced the amount of 'taught' examples which I had been teaching from the front of the class and increased the selection opportunities and options for the young folk to consider as alternate strategies for solving the problems or selecting a solution.

The discovery element, even in this short exercise for myself, stimulated me to put this post.

I attempted to view the task from various starting points, such as, a complete beginner to a competent trainer / teacher and I was astonished at the extended considerations that I had ignored, which may arise - based on the fact that I have a lot of material to cover in a session.

The methods soon provided a natural series of potential work stations, depending on a level of understanding - the skill level also began to play an active part in developing the work stations and to complete the circle - I found that they fitted nicely into the basic lesson plans I had been using. i.e. -
basic essential information - 'foundation' - lesson outcome
recognition of use in real life - 'general' - lesson outcome
own creative / innovative uses - 'credit' - lesson outcome

foundation - learn skills
general - application of skills
credit - creative / innovative use of skills

With this initial boost, I am well stimulated to get my hands on a kit to explore and expand the options and opportunities across the curriculum.

Jimmy

Comment by kessam71 on June 1, 2008 at 6:57am

Both Alex Houston and Brendan O'Keefe have played with ThinkCube.

Comment by James S H Johnston MBE on May 29, 2008 at 9:14pm

Apart from Kes -
has anyone used thinkcube?
I only ask as I am in the users group and I have only downloaded the samples...
Jimmy

Comment by James S H Johnston MBE on May 29, 2008 at 3:39am

Kes
Thank you for the opportunity to work alongside you in developing educational uses for thinkcube
As I am based in Glasgow, Scotland - I may be able to hazard a guess at your other contact in Scotland - would it be possible for you to pass my details onto them to help enlarge / complete the circle?
Jimmy