Overview
Client
Designs for Thinking is a group of educational consultants implementing Thinking Maps^® and Software in whole learning communities, from pre-kindergarten through college.

Goals and Objectives
To use video and DVD to capture Thinking Maps in action by schools from pre-k through college in the United States and internationally. Video is used for action research to facilitate a deeper understanding and effective use of Thinking Maps.

Challenges
To create a video and DVD based piece that:

• Is captivating enough to intrigue
• To promote understanding and use of Thinking Maps
• Supports consultants, trainer of trainers, administration and others to effectively use the video and DVD in presentations

Action
Pedagogical Strategies
I work with Designs for Thinking on:

• Assessing and conceptualizing their goals with the use of video and media
• Consulting sessions to determine what to video tape
• Training the staff to use video in the field
• Video taping case studies with Designs for Thinking
• Editing video and structuring the DVD format
• Authoring DVDs

Techniques
To model how to use the video clips in workshops, we filmed David Hyerle, the creator of Thinking Maps using video clips during several of his sessions. This was then edited with the clips he was using to model how to effectively use and involve people who are viewing video clips as part of a workshop.

Outcomes
Results
Learning from the hands-on development of video and the DVD have supported a deeper understanding of how to use these media tools effectively, and to consider next steps of development.

Continuing Results
The growing number of video clips showing Thinking Maps in action from a wide range of age levels and an extensive variety of locations creates many new insights of the potential of Thinking Maps, and how to better use media tools.

New Ideas
Video taping David Hyerle using the video clips that are incorporated into the DVD provide a deeper understanding of what the viewer is watching, and a much further understanding of the power of Thinking Maps.

Client Information
Designs for Thinking
www.mapthemind.com

Video Example
Watch a video clip from the Student Successes with Thinking Maps DVD that includes David Hyerle using and introducing the video clip at a Thinking Maps workshop:

Download Case Study
Download the Designs for Thinking Case Study as an Acrobat PDF file.

More Case Studies
Case Studies available online, and as a downloadable Acrobat PDF files include:

• Youth Development Collaborative for staff from over 15 community-based, youth-serving organizations in the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia
• National Urban Alliance leadership visioning session with the key management team
• Fine Arts Interdisciplinary Resource School whole school change and common understandings of curriculum in a public arts school serving a large metropolitan area
• Designs for Thinking Tools exploration DVD to assist understanding and implementation of Thinking Maps
• Bryant Elementary School, Seattle Public Schools whole school change focused on creating collaboration with a staff built on communication, consistent vision, and commonalities with methods
• Cal Arts to improve overall in-class experience for teachers and students during presentations and critiques.
  
• Development of Case Studies with Thinking Foundation to provide examples of funded participatory research that shares exemplary examples of innovative and successful schools. Go to the Thinking Foundation website Case Studies section.
• Description of Case Studies format

updated 16 February 2007