What is SCAN?
SCAN is a dynamic, interactive online learning tool designed to engage teens in exploring complex issues while learning and applying a powerful critical thinking process. SCAN provides a framework for them to organize their thinking and develop their own “take” on a situation while considering relevant data, information and the perspectives of others. SCAN is most powerful when used with others – when there are several people examining the same issue and sharing their thinking.SCAN is an acronym describing the steps we use to understand and organize our thinking around complex issues.
Who Uses SCAN
Educators of teenagers who believe in the value of building their students’ problem-solving skills and using collaborative learning. Currently our lessons are aimed at educators who deal with:- Social studies
- Health and/or the exploration of current, core, complex problems and decisions facing teens
- Life skills, study skills, character education, violence prevention, advisory, transitions, and other electives which deal with enhancing the practical problem-solving and decision-making capacity of students
- Guidance, advisory, and others who prepare and/or assist students with handling tough personal issues (social, academic, and career)
SCAN Lessons
SCAN lessons are available in our free or subscriber library for use with the SCAN online learning tool. Each lesson deals with examining an issue or scenario from multiple points of view.SCAN Lessons:
- Have been written by and for educators
- Consist of 1 page max. of reading material for students
- Each have a teacher support page
- Require students to adopt a point of view — and address other points of view
- Allow teachers to include links to additional content (subscription only)
Our current lesson library contains over 100 lessons (3 can be used for free), which can be used with the SCAN online learning tool. See lesson summaries from both our free and subscription library. back to top
What are the benefits of using SCAN?
Educators report that SCAN is particularly useful in:- Helping students learn a simple yet powerful, practical problem-solving approach
- Helping students appreciate the relevance of points of view and how these affect perception
- Engaging students in thoughtful debate and consideration of complex issues
- Encouraging a deeper understanding and analysis of content
- Providing a venue for all students' voices to be heard and considered
- Helping students address and prepare for weighty, difficult life choices and problems
- Providing easy-to-use curriculum for areas which are sometimes overlooked
- Providing substantive substitute lessons and/or lessons for when time is unexpectedly available
How do I get started?
It’s easy! To try lessons from our free SCAN library:- Register or Sign In
- Select a lesson from our free SCAN library. See free lessons
- Give your students the SCAN session URL you are assigned
- Start your SCAN session!