ThinkBlocks

ThinkBlocks are a tactile manipulative educational tool invented by American educational theorist Derek Cabrera. Cabrera invented the blocks as a way to teach his graduate and doctoral students systems thinking at Cornell University.[1][2] ThinkBlocks are designed to model concepts and build thinking skills based on the DSRP theory and method of thinking.[3] This theory posits that four patterns, Distinctions, Systems, Relationships, and Perspectives, underlie all cognition, that they are universal to the process of structuring information, and that people can improve their thinking skills by learning to use the four elements explicitly. Students assign concepts to blocks by writing on them with dry-erase markers, and then associate them with other concepts by using the multi-nesting (multiple blocks inside of blocks), barbell (relational nodes), and looking glass (translucent) properties of the blocks. They were originally white, magnetic dodecahedra in three nested sizes, with one reflective side. In 2012, a new translucent cube-shaped version of the block was introduced.

ThinkBlocks were a National Parenting Center Seal of Approval Winner in Fall 2008.[4]

History

ThinkBlocks (also called DSRP Blocks for the cognitive theory upon which they are based) were invented by Derek Cabrera and debuted at the Chicago International Toy Fair in November, 2007.[1]

At that time, ThinkBlocks were sets of opaque white magnetic, dry-erase polyhedra in three different sizes, and sold in sets of 26: 2 large, 8 medium, and 16 small blocks. The large and medium sizes were hollow, such that smaller sizes nest inside of larger ones, and the large and medium sizes also have one reflective side each.

In March, 2012, the "Thinking at Every Desk" Facebook page announced the launch of "ThinkBlocks 2.0".[5] These new blocks are translucent non-magnetic cubes and were redesigned, in part, to work in parallel with a diagramming technique called DSRP Diagrams. Like the version 1.0 blocks, version 2.0 blocks are dry-eraseable and nesting. One large 2.0 block fits 8 medium blocks, which in turn fit 8 small blocks. Large blocks are 5 cu. in., medium blocks 2 cu. in, and small blocks 1 cu. in.[6]

Educational philosophy

ThinkBlocks can be used in multiple ways. Children can play with them as with other blocks, attaching and detaching different blocks with one another and nesting smaller blocks within larger blocks. They are also designed to be used in conjunction with the Patterns of Thinking method, as a so-called "tactile manipulative" used to model ideas.[7] Derek Cabrera, creator of ThinkBlocks, has said that his educational philosophy has been influenced by Jean Piaget's constructivism, and ThinkBlocks reflect this, particularly when used in conjunction with DSRP/Patterns of Thinking: a child becomes an active participant in "constructing" knowledge as he or she models ideas with the blocks.[8]

ThinkBlocks are also part of a class of educational tools called tactile manipulatives. Tactile manipulatives are popular in math subjects (especially in the elementary grades) and in Montessori education. ThinkBlocks were designed to be used in any grade and any topic thereby extending the range of use of tactile manipulatives. The linkage between the four DSRP thinking skills and tactile manipulatives appeared in Scientific American Mind in 2010.[9]

Applications

ThinkBlocks have been used extensively in pre-school, elementary, secondary, and post-secondary classroom settings, including by the Ithaca City School District in Ithaca, NY, and Fairfax County School District in Fairfax, VA.[8][10][11][12][13][14] In addition to typically developing students, teachers have found ThinkBlocks to be particularly useful for students with emotional or learning disabilities.[15][16] ThinkBlocks have also been used by organizational leaders, inventors, and scientists and in college classrooms.

The following images provide an example of how ThinkBlocks are used:[5]

References
  1. Susan S. Lang (2007-10-17). "Lang, Susan (2007) Thinking Outside the Block. Cornell Chronicle". News.cornell.edu. Retrieved 2013-11-03.
  2. Distributed Knowledge: ThinkBlocks Like an Ergonomic Chair. E-Clips Cornell University. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4qkHbraPOc
  3. Cabrera, D. and Colosi, L. (2009) Thinking at Every Desk: How Four Simple Thinking Skills Will Transform Your Teaching, Classroom, School, and District. Ithaca, NY: The Research Institute for Thinking in Education. ISBN 978-0979430831
  4. "National Parenting Center (2008) ThinkBlocks". Tnpc.com. Retrieved 2013-11-03.
  5. "ThinkBlocks version 2.0". Facebook. Retrieved 2012-08-01.
  6. "Cabrera Research Lab ThinkBlocks: The Universal Thinking Tool (Small Kit)". Idsrp.hostedbywebstore.com. Retrieved 2012-08-01.
  7. "US Patent 8075314". Retrieved 2013-11-03.
  8. Winterton, Danielle (2008-08-13). "Winterton, Danielle. (2008) Learning to Think. Ithaca Times". Archived from the original on December 28, 2008. Retrieved 2013-11-03.
  9. Cabrera, D. and Colosi, L. (2010) The World at Our Fingertips: The Connection Between Touch and Learning. Scientific American Mind, 21, 36-41. DOI: 10.1038/scientificamericanmind0910-36
  10. Organized Chaos. (2009, September 29). Organized Chaos: apples, executive function, patterns of thinking, and 19 kindergarteners. Organized Chaos. Retrieved from http://welcometoorganizedchaos.blogspot.com/2009/09/apples-executive-function-patterns-of.html
  11. Orr, Jennifer. (2010, September 18). Elementary, My Dear, or Far From It: Thinking about Our Hopes. Elementary, My Dear, or Far From It. Retrieved from http://emdffi.blogspot.com/2010/09/thinking-about-our-hopes.html
  12. Orr, Jennifer. (2011, September 8). Elementary, My Dear, or Far From It: Self Portraits - Six Year Old Style. Elementary, My Dear, or Far From It. Retrieved from http://emdffi.blogspot.com/2011/09/self-portraits-six-year-old-style.html
  13. Teacher, Y. (2009). April 27 - May 1. First Grade Superstars. Retrieved from http://firstgradesuperstars.blogspot.com/2009/05/april-27-may-1.html
  14. 12 Year Olds. (2011, April 2). Providence Principal’s Blog. Retrieved from http://providenceschool.wordpress.com/2011/04/02/12-year-olds/
  15. Organized Chaos. (2009, November 16). Organized Chaos: breaking it down with patterns of thinking. Organized Chaos. Retrieved from http://welcometoorganizedchaos.blogspot.com/2009/11/breaking-it-down-with-patterns-of.html
  16. Perales, Leslie. (2010, January 17) Teacher Wins Unsung Heroes Award. The Observer https://web.archive.org/web/20100117195721/http://www.observernews.com/story08/news08/080808_award.html
  • Thinking at Every Desk YouTube channel, which includes numerous video tutorials for using ThinkBlocks, as well as teacher case studies from teachers who use the blocks in their classrooms
  • Thinking at Every Desk website, which includes information on DSRP theory and method, as well as a store that sells ThinkBlocks
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