Flip It!
Reverse check mark made from cubes with arrows (cagkansayin, Getty Images)
Reverse check mark made from cubes with arrows (cagkansayin, Getty Images)
Format
How does this align with my curriculum?
PE
9
Science Grade 9 (revised 2018)
Decisions and Perspectives
PE
10
Science 421A (2019)
Decisions and Perspectives
PE
12
Chemistry 621A (draft 2021)
Decisions and Perspectives DP1
PE
11
Chemistry 521A (draft 2021)
Decisions and Perspectives DP1
This learning strategy helps students gain new perspectives about an issue or topic and supports problem-solving.
Why use it?
- To enhance critical thinking skills
- To gain new perspectives
- To support ideation or troubleshooting during a design thinking challenge
Tips for success
- Encourage students to be honest about sharing their concerns or challenges, as the activity gives them a chance to reframe those ideas and find solutions.
- In advance, prepare three pieces of chart paper or areas on blackboard or white board with the headers CHALLENGE, HOPE and ACTIONS.
How do I use it?
- Provide students with a topic. For example, students could be asked to create a social media campaign to raise awareness about an issue (e.g., climate change, gender inequality, etc.)
- Ask students to spend 3-5 minutes individually jotting down issues, concerns or barriers about the topic on sticky notes. For example, “reaching the most people”.
- Have students add their sticky notes below the header CHALLENGE.
- Discuss the comments with the group and ask students to elaborate on their ideas.
- Ask students to “flip” the ideas on the challenge sheet and reframe them. What HOPEs do students have? For example, “we hope to make it accessible to all people”.
- Give students 3-5 minutes to reflect and then add sticky notes below the header HOPE.
- In pairs or small groups, ask students to select one of the HOPEs and brainstorm an ACTION plan. What steps might they take or strategies might they apply to overcome the challenge and achieve the hope? For example, “research the accessibility measures on the social media platform, add alt text to images, create closed captions for video clips”.
- Ask students to document their action plans below the header ACTIONS on a separate and then share with the group.
Sheets of paper with headers CHALLENGE, HOPE and ACTIONS (©2023 Let’s Talk Science).
Variations
- If doing this with the whole class, ask students to vote on which HOPE they plan to achieve using dot polling or a show of hands.
- Students could brainstorm hopes first, then identify challenges, and lastly actions to overcome the obstacles.
Extensions
- Ask students to develop a timeline and success criteria for achieving their ACTION plans.
References
Adapted from: https://www.sessionlab.com/methods/flip-it