THINKING CLASSROOM:
Unlocking Student's Minds and Strategies for Engaging Student Thinking in Math and STEM
Course Summary
We are aware that today’s significant challenge is that students engage in less critical thinking. They often resort to shortcuts to reach their goals quickly, prioritizing grades over genuine knowledge acquisition. However, it’s essential to recognize that students can and want to think critically and have a desire for authentic learning. In this course, we will explore how to create an enabling environment and provide them with the necessary tools and strategies for developing critical thinking.
Participants will have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the importance of fostering active student engagement and how to shift the focus from exclusive results to the learning process. Through concrete instructions, practical tricks, and rich materials, you will learn how to encourage students to think actively and develop their skills. This is a crucial aspect of modern education, especially in mathematics and STEM subjects, where promoting critical thinking and problem-solving is essential.
Price:
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5-day course: 400 €
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6-day course: 480 €
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7-day course: 560 €
Dates | Duration | Location | Confirmed | Registration |
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14/07 - 18/07/2025 | 5 days | Zagreb, Croatia | pre-confirmed | REGISTER HERE |
21/07 - 25/07/2025 | 5 days | Zagreb, Croatia | pre-confirmed | REGISTER HERE |
Course Detailed Description
Through interactive workshops, discussions, and presentations, participants will be introduced to various strategies for promoting active thinking in mathematics and STEM education.
They will have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the fundamental concepts of critical thinking and learn how to create engaging and thought-provoking tasks. Through practical exercises, participants will work on forming effective student groups and explore best practices for organizing classroom spaces to encourage active participation.
During the course, we will emphasize the importance of student autonomy and providing support without stifling their thinking. The use of digital tools to promote active thinking will also be highlighted, with demonstrations of various tools and practical exercises for integrating them into teaching. Participants will have the chance to create comprehensive scenarios for fostering active thinking and develop strategies for assessing student performance.
Main Course Objective:
Empower participants with the skills, strategies, and tools necessary to successfully promote (critical) thinking among mathematics and STEM students.
This course provides practical tools and strategies for building classrooms where students become actively engaged learners.
Course Goals:
Transform classrooms into environments that encourage critical thinking and dialogue.
Explore practical examples of integrating traditional and analog teaching methods with digital tools, with a focus on creating an environment conducive to thinking in mathematics and STEM subjects. Familiarize participants with tools for monitoring and evaluating student progress in mathematics and STEM education.
COURSE SCHEDULE (Day by day):
*Please note that the course schedule provided on this website for the 6-day course is intended as an example only. The actual schedule may vary according to the needs and preferences of the group attending the course.
Upon registration for the course, attendees will be provided with a finalized schedule tailored to the specific course they have booked. This schedule will include details such as session times, topics covered, and any additional activities planned.
For any questions or concerns regarding the course schedule, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Day 1 - Introduction
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Introduction to the Course
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Course schedule
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Interactive introductory activities
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Why is it important to start with questions?
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Sharing participant experiences
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City tour
Day 2 - Task that matters
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How to create tasks that engage students and encourage thinking?
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Creating functional student groups that collaborate actively on tasks.
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Optimal workspace arrangement to keep students engaged.
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Participant workshop - designing interesting tasks and experimentation
Day 3 - Tools and strategies for educators
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Considering timing, format, and environment for task setting
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Digital tools for tasks and the role of AI
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Supporting students without stifling their thinking: Balancing guidance and autonomy
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Importance of classroom autonomy: Why is it crucial?
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Classroom organization for fostering thinking.
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Participant workshop - Balancing guidance
Day 4 - Bridging analog and digital
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Familiarizing with digital tools: Discover tools that enhance active thinking in the classroom.
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Thinking beyond notebooks and homework: Encouraging continuous thinking outside conventional boundaries
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Participant workshop - hands-on experience with digital tools for material organization
Day 5 - Assessment in the Thinking Classroom
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Monitoring, evaluation, and grading: Understanding their significance.
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Digital tools for assessment: Tracking student progress
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Bringing it all together: Connecting all aspects of active thinking into a comprehensive framework
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Workshop - Creating scenarios for active thinking.
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Course evaluation
Note: The program will be dynamic and interactive. The schedule may change based on the issues posed by the participants and the real resolution processes in which we engage. Excursion plans for any given course may also affect the agenda.
Course outcomes
By the end of this course, participants will:
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Promoting Critical Thinking Among Students
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Learning to Create Thought-Provoking Tasks
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Developing Methods for Organizing Functional Student Groups for Collaboration
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Bridging Analog Methods with Digital Environments
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Utilizing Digital Tools for Encouraging Active Thinking, Task Creation, and Organization
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Creating an Environment Conducive to Thinking
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Familiarizing with Tools for Student Monitoring and Evaluation
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Exchanging Ideas and Experiences and Crafting a Concrete Implementation Plan for Classroom Use