ThinkWorks News
Top Journal Explores the Theory Behind ThinkBlocks
July 7th, 2008
Ithaca, NY - The work of Drs. Derek Cabrera and Laura Colosi, CEO and COO of ThinkWorks, is featured in the the August issue of Evaluation and Program Planning,
one of the leading research journals in the fields of assessment and evaluation. The
ThinkWorks executives contributed two articles: "Systems Thinking" and
"Distinctions, Systems, Relationships, and Perspectives (DSRP): A
theory of thinking and things." Both articles explore educational assessment tools and the Patterns of Thinking™ Method, the theory underlying ThinkBlocks. The paper can be accessed online.
Cabrera and Colosi were the editors of this special issue dedicated to Cabrera's model of thinking, drawing on their expertise in evaluation and assessment. In addition, the journal published eight responses to the article "Systems Thinking." Eight responses were selected from 22 submitted by experts in the fields of evaluation and assessment and systems thinking.
Colosi described the circumstances that led to the article. "Like professionals in other disciplines, evaluators wanted to incorporate systems thinking into their practice. They struggled initially, however, finding it difficult to define 'systems thinking' much less use it. Every educator wants to know that their program is working, and the field of evaluation gives them the tools for assessment." Cabrera sees his research as filling that gap, noting that "The Patterns of thinking Method provides a powerful assessment tool for the curriculum designer. For the evaluator to become a 'systems thinker', he or she doesn't need to spend years learning nonlinear sciences or systems theory. Instead, with some practice, one can learn to apply four simple rules to existing evaluation knowledge with transformative results."
Colosi added, "this special issue is a testament to the importance of the Patterns of Thinking Method in evaluation and assessment as well as many other fields. The invention of ThinkBlocks provides educational evaluators just the tool they need to be truly systemic in their assessments and evaluations."
About Evaluation and Program Planning: First published in 1978, Evaluation and Program Planning helps evaluators and planners in various disciplines - organizational development and behavior, training, planning, human resource development, health and mental, social services, mental retardation, corrections, substance abuse, and education - improve their professional practice.