Thinking-Based Learning Activity: “Future of Transportation”

Objective:

Engage students in critical thinking and problem-solving regarding the future of transportation while enhancing language skills.

Materials Needed:

• Whiteboard/flipchart and markers
• Pictures or diagrams of various transportation modes
• Handouts with prompts or questions related to transportation

Steps:

1. Introduction (10 minutes)

• Discussion Start: Initiate a discussion about transportation modes the students are familiar with.
• Introduction to Activity: Introduce the topic of the future of transportation and its importance.

2. Brainstorming (15 minutes)

• Group Brainstorm (10 minutes):
  • Divide students into small groups and provide images or diagrams of different transportation modes (e.g., cars, trains, bicycles, future concepts).
  • Ask each group to brainstorm ideas about the future of transportation using the provided materials.
• Whole-Class Discussion (5 minutes):
  • Invite each group to share one innovative idea or concept they came up with for future transportation.

3. Guided Questions (20 minutes)

• Guided Discussion (15 minutes):
  • Provide handouts with prompts or questions related to future transportation (e.g., “What improvements can be made in public transport?” “How can technology change transportation in the future?”).
  • Facilitate a guided discussion based on these questions, encouraging students to express their ideas in English.

4. Visualization and Presentation (25 minutes)

• Visualization Activity (15 minutes):
  • Ask students to draw or describe their vision of a futuristic transportation mode.
  • Encourage them to label or describe features using English vocabulary.
• Presentation (10 minutes):
  • Invite volunteers to present their visualizations to the class, explaining their innovative transportation concepts.

5. Reflection and Conclusion (10 minutes)

• Individual Reflection (5 minutes):
  • Provide time for students to write a short reflection on what they learned about future transportation and their role in shaping it.
• Class Discussion (5 minutes):
  • Lead a final discussion summarizing key insights and discussing how their ideas could impact future transportation.

Conclusion:

Emphasize the importance of critical thinking and creative problem-solving in envisioning the future of transportation.

Assessment:

Evaluate students based on their active participation in discussions, the quality of their ideas, their presentations, and the reflection on their learning experience.

This Thinking-Based Learning activity engages students in critical thinking, creativity, and language use while exploring innovative ideas about the future of transportation. Adjust the complexity of questions and activities based on students’ A2 level proficiency and their interests in transportation.