Thinking Outside the Box
A Puzzling Diversion.
Welcome to the Always Learning newsletter, a free resource for inspiration and support in education.
This edition continues our focus on thinking but with a twist. The ‘Outside the Box’ puzzle is designed to encourage both creative thinking and word play - two of our favourite things here at the Always Learning newsletter.
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Creative Thinking Warm-Up Activities
The Outside the Box puzzle began as an idea to encourage students to consider a variety of perspectives and ideas when solving a problem. The puzzle is a great warm-up activity but will require explanation for most students. To that end, I’ve created a presentation with step-by-step instructions.
Outside the Box Presentation
If this puzzle looks useful there’s a more detailed explanation and presentation here. It is a Canva Presentation.
More puzzles to try HERE
Creative Thinking and AI
Breaking News. AI is not useful as a creative thinker
In the last newsletter we created a planet: E2 10017. AI helped us to generate some suitable images but it was hard work getting a result that met all our needs. AI helped a little but we needed to adjust everything. This is an important lesson for our students to learn.
The following activity asks students to construct suitable AI prompts to create two realistic images: a new planet and also a plant discovered on that planet.
Write the AI prompt to create a realistic image of the newly discovered planet, E2 10017 and a plant discovered on this planet. The planet prompt needs to include details of: terrain, atmosphere, vegetation, water bodies and any unique elements.
Complete some quick research to find out what details need to be included in the plant prompt.
Experiment a little before producing your images. Include prompt details in the final product.
Spotlight
Dance with a Digital Human
www.csiro.au/en/education/Resources/teacher-resources/Dance-with-a-Digital-Human
The CSIRO site is definitely worth exploring. It delves into the fascinating intersection of health and technology, revealing ‘how physical movement and digital human modeling can transform our understanding of the human body’.
All resources align with the Australian Curriculum emphasising science, technology, and health and physical education. Activities are designed by teachers and are suitable for Years 1–9