Theme 2: Use Good Problems
10 10: Sandboxes — Provide safe places to explore systems
With the SANDBOXES principle, Gee discusses creating safe spaces for learners to test things out, explore, and take risks.
SANDBOXES strategies in teaching
- Create an environment where students feel comfortable sharing and trying out their ideas and beliefs.
- Offer multiple means for student expression (see UDL) so students can share their thoughts in person or face-to-face, and both anonymously and recognized.
- Provide opportunities and encouragement to fail-and-reflect (learn from failure).
- Offer credit for sharing with other students their reflections on failure that include analysis and their process/paths to success. This may help others figure out solutions to their own challenges.
- Let students express their understanding of course content with options that are meaningful to them (let them design and build their own castle).
- Add a few strategies that might work in your course, and see others’ ideas here.
SANDBOXES strategies in Canvas
- Open your course early so students can get a “lay of the land”.
- Create Discussion or Piazza forums where students can share and respond to ideas and thoughts. Give points to reward constructive feedback that models respectful discourse and risk-taking.
- Have TAs and/or students create many low-stakes practice tests with answer feedback, so other students can take them, fail, and immediately be guided to success.
- Use discussions to explore material that are graded only based on participation and receives guidance for improvement.
- Add a few strategies that might work in your course, and see others’ ideas here.