This document provides an introduction to integrative thinking and the tools used to teach it. It discusses using inquiry, knowledge building, design thinking, and teacher-directed learning. It presents models of mental models and the ladder of inference. It describes system 1 and system 2 thinking and finding value in different ideas. The goal is to help students think more integratively about complex issues.

1. An Introduction to
Integrative Thinking
Heidi Siwak Bring IT Together 2014
@heidisiwak Niagara Falls, Ontario
hsiwak@hwdsb.on.ca Thursday, November 6
www.heidisiwak.com
.

2. My classroom is media and technology rich.
• Inquiry
3D Printer
We do interesting things!
Mapping
Digital Tools to create
demonstrations of learning.
Create a
tourism
app.

3. Guiding Principles
Thinking
Creativity
Problem Solving
Communication
Disciplines: Literacy, Math, History, Science …

4. Inquiry
Knowledge Building
Integrative Thinking
Design Thinking
and also Teacher-Directed Learning

5. At one time there were no people living in North
America. Now there are millions.
How? Why? When? did people first come to North
America?
What’s your theory?
12 Principles of Knowledge Building

8. Stephen Harper has no time for the
U.N. Is this a reasonable stance?

9. Knowledge Building Circle

10. Roger Martin
Integrative Thinking
Dean, Rotman School of Management
University of Toronto

11. I-Think Initiative
http://www.rotman.utoronto.ca/facultyandresearch/researchcentres/desautelscentre/programs/i-think.aspx

12. Toolkit

13. Mental Models

14. We are constantly trying to make sense of the world.

15. We do this by creating models.

17. But our model is this.

18. We see things that aren’t there.

19. We make things up.

20. Once we’ve seen something

21. It’s hard to unsee.

22. We don’t see past our first impressions.

23. We miss things.

24. We often don’t know why our model exists.

25. Each person’s model is different.
City

28. What does a doctor look
like?

30. Neurosurgeon

31. Freedom!
Our models are
always incomplete
and therefore
wrong.

32. You are only ever
working with
your current best idea.

33. Sometimes our models clash.
Perfect Vacation

34. Endless discussions. No action.

35. We argue from conclusions.
Guns are good!
Guns are bad!

36. Entrenched positions are not useful.
Either or choices are limiting.

37. Pro Pro Model
Total Surveillance
• Describe the model
• Identify stakeholders
• (Government, Citizen, Business)
• Find value
• Safety
No Surveillance
• Describe the model
• Identify stakeholders
• (Government, Citizen, Business)
• Find value
• Freedom

38. Students as Design Thinkers
How might we …
design a communication system that
keeps us safe and protects our
freedoms?

39. Integrative Thinking
Look for the tensions …
that is where interesting solutions will be found.
From these tensions, create something new.
How does a new idea start?

40. Invent Something Entirely New
Adventure Water

41. Problem Exploration

42. Simple
A + B = C

43. Complicated
How do I get 1 child to
the other to and feed
everyone?

44. Wicked

46. Causal Models

48. Ladder of Inference

51. The Value Line
Strongly
Disagree
Strongly Agree

54. Gun shooting of Jordan Davis

56. System 1 and
System 2 Thinking

57. George Orwell’s House
System 1 Thinking

58. System 2
Thinking

59. Creative Confidence

61. Finding Value in Bad Ideas

62. Internalizing the Discourse of
Thinking
Jane

63. “ … I was towards mental health
problems on the value line, but
when we read Section 83 of the
criminal code and saw that it’s
when people try to make you feel
unsafe, then I shifted towards
terrorist”.
Kira

64. “I can’t make a decision
yet. I want to know what’s
in the Coroner’s report and
the video he made.”
Chloe

65. HWDSB West Cluster Integrative Thinking Initiative

66. Might Be Useful
The Amaryllis http://www.heidisiwak.com/
Integrative Thinking
HWDSB Integrative Thinking Initiative http://ithink.commons.hwdsb.on.ca/
University of Toronto, Rotman Ithink
http://www.rotman.utoronto.ca/facultyandresearch/researchcentres/desautelscentre/programs/i-think.
aspx
Knowledge Building http://knowledge-building.org/
People to follow:
@noghkornberg
@jennzia
@ithinkhwdsb
@AudreyHensen
Twitter: #dtk12chat #ithinkhwdsb