Newsletter #7: Compass Points

It’s called imposter syndrome: the idea that you are a fraud masquerading, pretending to be something you aren’t. We’ve all experienced it. You walk into a meeting and everyone there seems to have their impeccably pressed suits to go along with their impeccably pressed presentations, proven data, and impressive results; meanwhile, you have struggled to get there on time, three of your buttons are mismatched, and you see 137 unanswered emails on the laptop you forgot to charge last night.

Why is it that we can accept imperfection from our students, but not from ourselves? Growth is excruciating, learning is hard work, and yet we want to be perfect at everything we do—right now! I’ve noticed a hesitation to try new lesson plans or share in collaborative meetings, because of that fear of judgment. Fear is paralyzing: it blocks the growth mindset so necessary for development. When we feel afraid or hesitant to try something new, what are we teaching our students?

Embracing Growth Mindset: The Importance of Trying New Things

Compass Points is a thinking routine from Project Zero that can be helpful for creating a plan and space for trying new things, both with your students and for yourself. Project Zero, a Harvard Graduate School of Education initiative, creates simple, research-based thinking routines which can be used to examine ideas or propositions. Use this routine when you want to explore an idea before taking a stand or having an opinion, or if you are thinking about trying something new.

“You might record responses using the directions of a compass to provide a visual anchor. That is, draw a compass in the center of the board and then record responses corresponding to the appropriate direction: E, W, N, or S. It is generally easiest for students to begin with what is exciting or positive about the idea or proposition and then move to worrisome and need to know” (Ritchhart, Church & Morrison, Making Thinking Visible).

Utilizing Compass Points: A Practical Tool for Personal and Professional Development

If you are thinking about trying something new, draw a compass using the prompts below and journal what feels exciting about this idea before moving on to lack of knowledge and concerns. Remind yourself, that in this, you are a learner, and that while failure is a possibility, experience and knowledge are the real prize.

1. E = Excited
   What excites you about this idea or propositions? What’s the upside
    
2. W = Worrisome
   What do you find worrisome about this idea or proposition? What’s the downside?
    
3. N = Need to Know
   What else do you need to know or find out about this idea or proposition? What additional information would help you to evaluate things?
    
4. S = Stance or Suggestion for Moving Forward
   What is your current stance or opinion on the idea or proposition? How might you move forward in your evaluation of this idea or proposition?

Create a routine for a safe place to explore those ideas you’ve kept on hold! Or, use a page in your journal to think about that new lesson a coworker shared with you! Or, consider sharing your amazing lesson in a professional development conference! Use compass points to work out your fears and move forward!

Photo credit: Geoff Liesik. Used with permission.