What is the PAT?

-          Learners must solve a problem,
                  i.e. find/suggest a possible solution for to problem
-          Write a comprehensive report regarding the solution to the problem,

 In order to do so, they need to describe their task, pose questions, find answers (data and information) to the questions using different types of resources, manipulate/analyse/process the data and information to find meaning and answers to the questions and then they need to synthesise – put it all together and create something new/original (their own report and suggested solution/idea) to solve the problem.

 Dr Jamie McKenzie wrote in his newsletter, A Taxonomy of Synthetic Thought and Production that “not all synthesis requires thought, originality or imagination”
 Also, he says: “The health of a society and an economy in this Age of Information depends upon the capacity of citizens to come up with original ideas, solutions and inventions.”

 He suggests a taxonomy (7 levels) for this purpose with “smushing” at the bottom and “invention” at the top level and provides synonyms or related words for some levels to help us to grasp and understand.
 

Read more as he explains the need for high level synthesis