Drawing for thinking – even if you 'can’t draw' with Andrew James

Everyone doodles. We pick up a pen on the phone and start making marks on paper – drawing is part of human nature. And you can use it in your classroom. Even if you can 'only draw a stick figure'. 

In this recorded workshop, we'll leave the screen behind and enter the analog world of pen and paper.

Ngā mihi! Very useful and inspiring! My staff meetings are going to be so much more fun and memorable now!

You’ll learn simple and achievable drawing techniques that help you and your students generate ideas, plan, take memorable notes, discover connections between concepts and communicate ideas.

The session is ideal for anyone who can hold a pen, especially if you think you can’t draw.

You’ll will walk away with:

• an understanding of the benefits of drawing for thinking

• a set of tools and techniques for using drawing in planning, meetings and the classroom

• the confidence to make use of drawing in your work.

If you want to draw along with us (recommended) you will need: 

• Sheets or a pad of paper to draw on. Minimum A4 size. Photocopy paper is ideal.

• A bold pen to draw with. A sharpie is a better choice than a biro.

• A highlighter can be useful, but it isn’t essential.

This was a great workshop. So much fun and lots of new ideas to practice & explore!

About the presenter

Andrew’s meandering career has always been about connecting people with science. He’s an obsessive sketchbook keeper, freelance illustrator and art educator. A former maths teacher and meteorologist, he now runs social media, writes and draws for Predator Free New Zealand Trust.

Download Andrew’s notes from the session below.