Group Thinking Tools

I have really enjoyed learning about the different tools and learning/thinking about how to implement them into classroom use. I particularly enjoyed the visual ranking tool, because it has so many applications in a classroom environment. I likes the way Mrs. Gray used social studies as a possible way of using the tools. My first thought would have been to use it in a science environment. It would never have occurred to use it as she did. (Finding the causes of WW1). I also liked it when she took on the student role and was able to demonstrate reasons what were NOT reasons for WW1. I think it's shows a creative outlet for students.
I also really enjoyed Ms. Wimberly's "seeing reason" implementation. Again, I would not have thought of using literature for a cause/effect relationship. The graphical organizing nature of this tool really lends itself to a literature study though, and it would really assist student's with comprehension of their read material. The student perspective was very interesting as it allowed the students a creative way to show relationships involved in their read literature.
The Seeing Evidence tool, I thought really lent itself to more of a science based project. I designed the project to use the GUI of the evidence based tool as a graphic organizer. This would allow the student's to clearly see the relationship between the described conditions and the growth of the mold. From a student perspective, I think that the tool is very easy to use and it allows the student to clearly see what works and what doesn't.
Overall, I'm impressed with Intel and the teaching tools they've come up with-not to mention, it's FREE! What a great service they're providing for teachers and for students!

Virtual Worlds and Second Life!

OK!, over there last week, I've played around with Second Life an awful lot, and I've learned how to teleport, rez items, get clothes, and generally made some really cool friends from out on Maxwell AFB. Second life is a fantastic tool- note that I said tool. I love using it and it's given me all kind of really great ideas about ways in which we could use it in educational environments, however, it's important that we not loose sight of the curriculum. This is the area that I KNOW I will struggle with over the next 50 years! The technology has to come second to the curriculum. When more time is spent teaching the tech, rather that the curriculum the technology should be supporting, the students lose.
Now, with that said, there are come really great things that could be done in Second Life. There was one island that really caught my attention. It was created by an educator, and for the life of me, I cannot remember what the name of the island was...but talk about being chock-full of resources for teachers. Also, some of the islands that we've seen on the voice threads. Talk about awesome opportunities for virtual field trips!
Now as far as Second Life being applicable... I don't think I would want my K-4 students wandering around in a Second life environment. I think it would be too difficult to maintain control with them. However, for middle, secondary and higher education, the sky is the limit! In the past 3 days, I've been places and have even taken "virtual" quizzes after I finished my visit! How cool is that! In any case, I feel that it's a great tool to assist in the educational process, as long as the students are on task and have a clear learning goal.

Constructivist Theory

So I read this article for my class...an article all about constructivist theory. It's really kind of fascinating to me for a few reasons. (Of course, being an AUM grad, I know all about the theory and how it applies to education) but then I thought about Bloom's Taxonomy and how constructivist theory works with that...
It's obvious that in a constructionist learning environment that students will be creating (constructing) their own knowledge, and that they'll be a more active participant in the learning process.
I suppose that it's kind of interesting, because it makes me think about the learning process. I've decided it's not just that we "know" something. A lot of times it's just as much about "HOW we know something" that makes all the difference. I'm not sure that makes a lot of sense to you, my loyal reader. In any case, it's definitely a concept worth reflecting on.