Using TASC in the classroom
If you have a complex problem to solve, TASC will take you through clear and logical stages so you can be confident you’ve reached a sound solution. Some questions are straightforward – ‘Who is the Prime Minister?’ Others are much more complex – ‘Is it possible to live on Mars?’ These more complex questions ask you to explore different kinds of knowledge to find convincing answers.
TASC has identified eight stages your brain moves through while solving complex questions.
1. Gather and Organise
- Before beginning to explore a question, think about what you already know. If you’re asking yourself ‘Is it possible to live on Mars?’ write down everything you know about Mars and about the conditions humans need to survive. You might also think about what you already know about humans living in inhospitable environments.
- As you find out more about your question, you can always go back and add more to the Gather and Organise stage.
2. Identify
- Make sure you know exactly what the question is you’re trying to answer.
- Rate the key issues you want to explore –what are you going to find out and how?
- In the ‘living on Mars’ question, what exactly is the problem you’re trying to solve? You could think about how Mars might be made habitable to humans, or how humans might evolve in order to survive there. Or you might define the problem in an entirely different way.
- Think about how you’ll evaluate your project and drop ideas into the Evaluate stage (e.g. ‘What would constitute successful life on Mars?’).
3. Generate
At this stage anything is possible, so be creative and adventurous. Don’t throw any ideas away!- Think about all the questions you might want to explore, e.g. do you want to look at human genetics, evolution or Martian ecology?
- Think about where you might find more relevant information.
- Think about the best way to record your research.
- Begin to think about how you might present your project. Drop some ideas into the Implement and Communicate stages.
4. Decide
Bring some focus to your creative thinking. Examine your ideas and decide which are best.- Reflect on all the ideas you have generated and identify the best. For instance, you might decide to focus on living on Mars in small, self-contained buildings because there is most information about these.
- Plan how you are going to work – in a group or independently? And to what sort of schedule?
- Decide how you will record and present your topic.
- Think about who your audience might be – who will you share your work with? Drop ideas into the Communicate stage.
5. Implement
Bring all your ideas together. Remember, you can always change your mind later and use a better idea!- Are you clear about the purpose of your research? Check what you have done so far and focus on the key issues.
- Read back through your notes and check your e‑TASC area – do you have everything you need? Connect relevant items to each other.
- Fine-tune your ideas about how you will present your project.
6. Evaluate
Weigh up the pros and cons!- Congratulate yourself on what you have achieved so far. List as many good points as you can.
- Have you answered your questions clearly?
- Have you kept to the main focus of your study?
- Think of ways you might improve your project and/or how you work.
7. Communicate
When you share your ideas, it can help you focus and find out if they stack up.- Share your work with someone. Ask for feedback – but be clear about the kind of feedback you want!
- Can you exhibit your work anywhere?
- Can you publish your work to help other students?
8. Learn from experience
It’s useful to think about your own thinking.- Think about the key ideas of your project.
- Has this project really interested you – why/why not?
- Reflect on your methods of work – could you work more efficiently next time?
- Think about and make notes of what you have learned during your research.