1. Ann Singleton, Ed.D. Ken Newman, Ed.D. Union University Jackson, TN
Empowering Students to Think Deeply Discuss Engagingly Write Definitively
Ann Singleton, Ed.D.
Ken Newman, Ed.D.
Union University
Jackson, TN

2. Think Deeply Discuss Engagingly
Ann Singleton

3. The quality of our lives is determined by the quality of our thinking
The quality of our lives is determined by the quality of our thinking. The quality of our thinking, in turn, is determined by the quality of our questions. Without essential questions, we often fail to focus our thinking on the significant and substantive.
Richard Paul
Linda Elder

4. Essential Questions Semester Goals Class Objectives

5. The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them.
Albert Einstein

6. Bloom’s Taxonomy Knowledge Comprehension Application Analysis
Synthesis
Evaluation

7. Test Blueprints Ensure class objectives are tested
Test different levels of understanding
Clarify class content

8. General Discussion Strategies
Allow time to think
Identify a specific student for response AFTER think-time
Think – pair – share
Ask for another student to elaborate on a student’s response
Ask for another student to summarize a student’s response
Ask for another student to give an opposing view of a student’s response

9. General Discussion Strategies (cont.)
Ask for another student to give a logical rationale for a student’s response
Ask for the key concept of a discussion
Ask how the key concept fits into the information for the entire course
Ask how an understanding of the key concept empowers the student
Withhold judgment

10. Universal Intellectual Standards
Clarity - Could you elaborate?
Accuracy - How could we verify?
Precision – Can you give more details?
Relevance - How does that relate?
Depth - What factors make this a difficult problem?
Breadth- Can we look at this differently?
Logic – Does the answer fit the problem?
Significance – Is this the central idea to focus?

11. The longer the assignment, the LESS likely the student will complete it. Harry Wong
A few students tell of professors who give homework assignments that are so challenging or complex that the only way to get the work done is to collaborate. Such homework assignments increased both student learning and their engagement with a class.
Richard J. Light

12. Write Definitively
Ken Newman