Choose 1 out! A new developing thinking activity
Secondary foci: Reflective practice, Peer Assessment, Literacy Skills,
How was it used?
This activity consists of an interactive PowerPoint similar to the famous Odd One Out, but much richer in its developing thinking potential - the idea being that the children can choose three images out of 16, so they have a choice and it is not the teacher who has chosen three images for them!
Before they choose their three images there are four possible pop-up questions that help them choose according to some criteria (e.g. Choose three images that make you feel safe!…) at the bottom right corner there is an ActiveX Control text box that allows the learners to write the image they think is the odd one out of the three they chose and to explain why they chose it!
Impact and Outcomes
- The freedom of choice that this activity offers allowed Personalisation of learning to take place. The learners were more engaged in the task assigned because they could feel a sense of independence.
- The learners were given opportunities to reflect on their ideas and choices by completing the interactive box within the PowerPoint presentation.
- Each group was required not only to write their reasons in the interactive boxes, but also to report orally back to their peers. This allowed to develop Literacy skills and the learners could begin to express their ideas, initially using every day expressions and eventually more and more scientific terminology.
- In the feedback session groups could explain their choices to the rest of the class and individual learners felt free to agree, or disagree, and contributed to their peers learning.
Learner Feedback
“I like when I can choose the answer! It helps me think about why I thought that!”
“It was quite strange to see so many different answers from other children. It helped me understand them a bit more!”
Lesson Learnt
This activity works really well from a laptop, or PC, but if a class set isn’t available, I would print the slide four times for each group with the questions on the, so the learners can still make their choices.