Scribing is the practice of visually representing ideas while people talk, providing real-time feedback and reflection. As a form of social art, it helps groups see their collective thinking, notice patterns and tensions, and access deeper layers of understanding. In a classroom, it serves as an additional learning mode which is non-linear and physically-oriented.

This introductory session teaches the basics of scribing and explores how it can be applied in your specific context—whether in research, teaching, facilitation, organizational development, or community work.
Kelvy Bird—MIT Lecturer in Visual Sensemaking and author of Generative Scribing: A Social Art of the 21st Century—will lead this all-day session. With over 30 years of experience in the field and 15 years working within Sloan Executive Education and across the university, she brings a deep understanding of group dynamics, systems thinking, and presencing to her practice.

What You'll Learn

Basics of scribing include fundamental skills in lettering, composition, and working with image, text, and symbols. Participants will also be introduced to two foundational frameworks:

• Levels of Scribing distinguishes four levels of engagement—from representing literal content to revealing deeper systemic patterns and future potential.
• Model of Practice outlines the core capacities required for effective scribing, including holding space for emergence while maintaining structural clarity.

Program Design

The workshop balances conceptual learning with experiential hands-on exercises, individual reflection, small group sharing, and plenary conversation. The schedule is as follows, and full-day participation is highly suggested:

• 8:30-9:00 Room open for participant arrival
• 9:00-10:30 Part 1: Basic Scribing Approach
• 10:30-11:00 Break
• 11:00-12:30 Part 2: Levels of Scribing
• 12:30-1:30 Lunch (on own)
• 1:30-3:00 Part 3: Model of Practice
• 3:00-3:30 Break
• 3:30-5:00 Part 4: Integration & Application

Who Might Attend

This program is open to all MIT faculty, students, and alumni interested in expanding their capacity for visual thinking and collaborative sensemaking. Whether you're looking to enhance your facilitation skills, deepen your research practice, support organizational learning, or simply explore a new way of engaging with ideas, this introduction offers practical tools and a supportive environment for beginning the journey. No artistic background required!

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