Redesigning Assessment
Thinking Blocks
Assessment isn’t working for kids.
We researched hundreds of first year college students and early career professionals to understand what they were asked to complete. We found that the same types of thinking came up over and over again, and that secondary learning wasn’t really preparing them for those experiences.
What if we unpacked the most important skills for learners to take with them into whatever life pathways they choose, and made those visible across the curriculum?
Introducing Thinking Blocks©
Measure what matters most
Our “Thinking Blocks” are a prototype for a set of thinking processes that young people can apply to any learning context.
They provide an organizational frame for learners and educators to develop the processes and skills that are most essential to engaging in rigorous and authentic thinking.
Each Thinking Block can be used across disciplines to create continuous and aligned learning.
Based on Learning Science
The Thinking Blocks are based on deep learning sciences about how kids develop. These processes guides learners through a cognitive apprenticeship, where they build the thinking skills that are most necessary to engage in the creative learning process and can make decisions about how to apply them across contexts. Thinking Blocks plugs into the promise of Project-Based, Competency Based, and Inquiry Based Learning.
Actionable and concrete
Each Thinking Block acts as a formative task that can inform learning progress.
We have developed Thinking Blocks guides, courses, examples, and templates for educators to use and make integrating their content a breeze.
When educators across disciplines plan together and make Thinking Blocks happen in their context, it breaks down barriers and builds common practice.
A process for rigor and engagement
As learners engage in Thinking Blocks, they are working on rigorous tasks that are also engaging and authentic. Let’s take a look at a Thinking Block in Action here:
Video animation showing a Thinking Block in use from planning to application!
This is the future of learning. Students learning by doing, learning about meaningful topics, and engaging in tasks that focus on their whole selves. We love them!”
Check It Out!
Access some FREE Thinking Blocks resources below, to get started:
Thinking Blocks Platform Launch
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Pilot with us!
We are launching an all-new Thinking Blocks Platform and we want to hear from you. If you are interested in participating in a pilot, or are looking for support with Thinking Blocks, contact us!
