The Island of Think with Things

March 19, 2020 Update

We have been watching all the changes and adaptation to closing schools and we want to open our community up to everyone for free. Look at all the great stuff that has been happening on the Island and don't forget to check out the TwT activities topic where on Monday the 23rd we will start posting weekly found object provokation or invitations to play and make your thinking visible!

Why an Island Community?

After years of listening to our followers and searching for the best place to bring everyone together we have found it. We have designed Think with Things Island for you. It is a private community of like minded people, with a shared goal of learning and sharing best practice in play based learning and working with found objects.

Although, Think with Things as a project has changed over the years, our true mission has not. We strive to be a bridge between the worlds of design and education. 

Bringing diverse groups of people together in rich conversations and hands on experiences.

We are very excited about this platform as it seems the perfect foundation for all we have been dreaming of. A place where things happen, where a spark ignites the power and creativity present in every person. 

We want to create times and places where people can come together to explore, share, learn from each other. When they do the world will never be the same again! 

Have you ever wanted to live and work on an island?

Darwin was right Islands have more diversity! Islands seem to have it all; ample sunshine, white sand beaches and species you can't find anywhere else on earth. If we translate that to our Island community our hope is for something very similar. 

A place with more diversity, rich ideas and conversations than any where else online. 

TwT Island community will be inhabited with a diverse group of thinkers, influencers, creators, teachers, etc. With all of these amazing people we don't have to tell you then it will be overflowing with ideas, inspiration and incredible stories and conversations. 

Jump on a boat and join us!

Our dream has always been to link together all the amazing practitioners, educators and business people who follow our project. It is our honor to welcome each of you to this space, where you can meet and share with each other. We love communities and building this Island community for you was an amazing experience.

Top 5 Island Benefits

Besides the obvious relaxing benefits of sun an surf!

1. Soul Food: Experience conversations and content all in one place. Get inspired and inspire others and have the possibility to find members near you. 
2. Natural Therapy: Design, think and play. Meet people who share your interests and care about the same topics.
3. Time Away: Find inspiring conversations and content daily from creative challenges to educational ideas.
4. Stress Free: Swap stories and experiences around a shared mission and method, while finding your own place and voice. All content is owned by the community and completely secure.
5. New Adventure: Get to explore every aspect of TwT method. Empower others with your stories, as well as be, challenged by others journeys

Below is a peek inside at all the great articles, questions and downloads so far!

A quick fly over the Island

The Discover Page is tailored to you and your interests, Places represent almost small community spaces you can pop in to explore, Topics organise every post, article and question posed.

There is something for everyone!

You can access the island on any device. Above you see the desktop browser version discovery page, which is customized to each user based on the places they join and topics and members they follow. (Below is the mobile version available on Android and OS)

 PLUS: Coming in Fall 2020 you will have access to e-courses, downloadable content and private expertise groups not available to non-members. As well as, early access and discounts to TWT events around the world.

Who are the inhabitants and what are they interested in?

Mighty networks has create an awesome platform, where communities own their own information and where the value is on it's members not it's creator. When we saw this we were on board immediately as this has always been the goal of Think with Things. We have per-populated the island diverse Roles, Topics and Places and hope each of you can find your niche. 

• Roles: Educator, Administrator, Trainier, Counselor, Entrepreneur, Change maker, Tech Guru, Artist, Environmentalist, etc. 
• Topics: Methodology • TwT use in Education •TwT use in Business • TwT activities and downloads.

What do I contribute?

We do hope that you feel like contributing more and sharing your work and experiences if just to get feedback, but also because there are many who can learn from you and your fabulous ideas. 

We are inspired by you and can't wait to meet you on the TwT beach! 

Join us today and see if island life is for you. We feel very strongly that we have brought together an amazing group of people, ideas and of course things. Come stake your place on the TwT beach and start sharing your amazing story! 

Just a little history...

Think with Things was born in 2014 as one of 7 winners of the Open Education Challenge with a goal to make a difference in education on a global level by bringing the idea of hands on learning through play, and thinking with found objects into the normal everyday structured learning environments of children, as well as adults. You can see more on our website www.thinkwiththings.com

Think with Things is promoting everyday objects and their connected learning possibilities. Through years of observing and working in educational settings I have come to one conclusion. Things that help us think and learn are all around us, we just need to unlock their potential. You already have all the materials you need to engage and create amazing educational outcomes for each and every person.  

—Julie Anne Gilleland, Founder