In this chapter, we learn about the purpose behind permanent, visible thinking boards and their uses, the PYPx Learning Pit and Taking Action. Visible Thinking routines changed my life. I still vividly recall the professional development session I attended in the late 2000s run by Cameron. I’ve used the Harvard…

In this chapter of our story, we find out about how we helped students develop their lines of inquiry, ask ungoogleable questions, start their blog and find human-centric resources. Facilitating students to develop their own lines of inquiry. Developing lines of inquiry is hard work at the best of times…

One of the things that has frustrated me for a long time is the “cookie-cutter” projects that seem to come out of the PYPx process. If our young people are truly choosing learning that engages them in a way in which they can inquire in an in-depth manner… If they…

“The right way to talk to strangers is with caution and humility.” ― Malcolm Gladwell, Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know About the People We Don’t Know, 2019. If you’ve had a chance to play with AI yet, you’ll have noticed how specific one must be with the prompt…

Something I’ve encouraged my students to do in recent years is to develop their complex problem solving by creating ‘ungoogleable’ questions… questions that are so complex one can’t simply ‘google’ it. Students respond in different ways to this challenge but what’s even more confronting is what happens after that. If we can’t google the answer, how will we do our research? That…

“A hallmark of wisdom is knowing when it’s time to abandon some of your most treasured tools — and some of the most cherished parts of your identity.” Adam Grant, Think Again, 2021. In today’s information-overloaded world, it’s so easy for us to scan research and drag-and-drop it into our educational contexts. But, let’s be real; there are no silver bullets in education. This is beautifully illustrated by the following story:

Earlier this year, in a rugby union match between South Africa and Australia, Koroibete blind-sighted Mapimpi with a try-saving tackle. It had everyone asking, how could this happen to the Springbok’s so-called “try-machine”? 1. False Assurance Makazole Mapimpi received a pass on the wing, and despite closing defenders it felt academic —…

It’s a strange life when a stint in retail teaches you more about growth and progress that a 4-year university degree. For a short time, mid-way through my education career, I took a hiatus and ended up working in retail. My, albeit short, retail path began as a casual Christmas…

..from faculty spaces. — Years ago, the leaders went to all of the faculty areas in our school and removed the kettles and microwaves citing WHS issues. I always wondered if there was a hidden reason though. Recently, a former colleague from that same school, Anne Knock, published her PhD that focussed on factors…