Possibility Books
Possibility Books (also known in prior iterations as Visual Notebooks and ThinkBooks) are a series of brief, ten-minute daily prompts, which a class responds to through the process of individual mark making, allowing for nuanced embodied reflection. Possibility Books have been used at CC for four semesters, with more than 1,400 students in over 100 courses across disciplines. Survey data shows extremely positive results. When Possibility Books are integrated into the course, the interactions foster a safe and collaborative learning environment. In addition, implementation of Possibility Books encourages students to establish connections with the content, thereby enhancing their learning. Over 82% of students surveyed said that Possibility Books should be used in other courses.
More detailed information about the pedagogy and a DocuGuide are available to faculty wanting to learn more about using Possibility Books in their classroom. C&I hosts workshops for new users each semester. Faculty deciding to use Possibility Books in their classes will receive all materials needed from C&I and they can opt to meet individually with C&I staff for support on adapting the method to their specific course content.
Outcomes
The Possibility Book method serves outcomes related to:
- Course content and learning: by providing a safe space to process ideas and reflect on questions, students become reflexive learners. Possibility Books allow students to iterate their understandings of course material by connecting the content to themselves, prior knowledge, and nuanced discernment of concepts. (ie: for CC100 classes, PB supports thinking about the nature of academic disciplines and the liberal arts).
- Creativity: Possibility Books engage students in practicing creativity and foster creativity mindsets, including curiosity, openness, possibility thinking, unexpected connections, ability to embrace ambiguity, and willingness to risk failure.
- Institutional Antiracism Commitment: Possibility Books support CC's institutional antiracism commitment by introducing modes of learning that have been excluded from traditional, colonial-based academic inquiry, and providing space that centers various identity perspectives as assets.
Possibility Books have also been found to support student learning by increasing their:
- Sense of belonging in the classroom.
- Well-being, particularly higher level of focus, and less anxiety.
- Creative thinking and problem-solving.
Possibility Books in Use
