Module 9

 

Design-Based Learning Backwards Thinking Process

Step 6 – Students Revise and Improve Designs!

Instructions:

Watch the video and/or read the article provided. While doing so, take notes to help you process the key ideas. Then, complete the tasks and/or answer the questions that follow.

In Step 5, we helped kids learn through testing their ideas and receiving mini-lessons when needed. In step 6, children will learn that mistakes are part of the learning process—they can always improve their designs. Let’s explore how to guide kids through this exciting journey!

 

Step 1: Get Feedback and Talk About What’s Working

Key Actions:

• Peer Feedback: Encourage students to ask each other, “What do you think we can change to make it better?”
• Teacher’s Feedback: Ask guiding questions like, “How can we make it spin faster?”
• Self-Evaluation: Have them reflect on their work: “What do you think went well? What needs improvement?”

Example:

When testing a wind turbine, one child might say, “The blades aren’t spinning fast enough!” This opens up a discussion for improvement.

Step 2: Find Ways to Make It Better

Strategies for Improvement:

• Analyze Issues: Discuss what went wrong with the initial design. For example, “Why didn’t the wind turbine work as expected?”
• Use Real-Life Examples: Ask, “How do real wind turbines work?”
• Set Goals: Help them define specific goals, such as, “Let’s make the blades spin faster this time!”

Example:

A student might suggest, “What if we made the blades longer?” This encourages creative thinking.

Step 3: Try Again and Make It Better

Revision Process:

• Make Changes: Implement new ideas, like trying longer blades.
• Test Again: Ask, “Does it work better now?”
• Document Changes: Encourage students to write down what they changed for future reference: “We made the blades bigger, and it worked!”

Example:

After revising, students may find that their new wind turbine design results in faster-spinning blades!

 

Step 4: Let Kids Take Charge

Roles in Group Work:

• Project Leader: Organizes the team and sets goals for improvement.
• Designer: Creates new drawings and adjusts the design.
• Materials Manager: Gathers tools and materials for experimentation.
• Researcher: Looks up real-life examples to inspire improvements.

Example:

In groups, children take on these roles, enhancing collaboration and ownership of their projects.

Step 5: Encourage the Fun of Trying Again

Building Resilience:

• Celebrate the Process: Acknowledge their learning journey: “You learned from trying, and now it works even better!”
• Emphasize Mistakes: Reinforce that mistakes are part of learning: “It’s okay to make mistakes!”
• Keep It Fun: Motivate them to continue experimenting: “Let’s keep improving our designs!”

Example:

Children celebrate their success, saying, “We made it work! The blades spin super fast now!”

Conclusion

By teaching kids that mistakes are opportunities to try again, we help them develop problem-solving skills, resilience, and the confidence to create even better designs next time!

Key Takeaways:

• Encourage feedback and self-reflection.
• Foster a culture of revision and improvement.
• Promote teamwork and individual responsibilities.

 

Let’s inspire creativity and resilience in our young learners as they embark on their design journeys!

Discussion Questions (15 Points)

Instructions:

Engage in the Discussion:
Reflect on what you’ve learned from this session by answering the discussion prompts below. After posting your response, read through your peers’ contributions and share your thoughts by commenting on at least one of them. Your answer should be around 150 words.

Discussion Questions

1. Facilitating Feedback:

- How can you encourage effective peer feedback among students? What specific prompts could guide their discussions?

2. Supporting Self-Evaluation:

- What strategies can you use to help students reflect on their work? Can you share examples of questions that might encourage self-assessment?

3. Identifying Challenges:

- What common challenges might students face when revising their designs? How can you support them in addressing these challenges?

4. Promoting a Growth Mindset:

- How can you emphasize that mistakes are valuable learning opportunities? What techniques have you found effective in building resilience among students?

Write your response in the comments section below. When appropriate, read your colleagues’ responses and provide thoughtful comments or constructive feedback to enrich the discussion.