The Value of Community & Collaboration

This is truly exciting work. This evening I developed a Mind Map which outlines the social learning and collaboration applications of several of the digital tools I am currently becoming acquainted with. I have included potential connections to ongoing Language Arts and Social Studies learning opportunities and projects. Embedded in the three center connections of the Mind Map are links to two exciting video clips on the value of social learning and collaboration in our 21st Century, digital world. There is also a link to an article entitled, "Minds on Fire" by  John Seely Brown and Richard P. Adle. The premise is that understanding is enhanced through social communication. It is worth a look. Click here to get to the Mind Map:

Bloom's Taxonomy: the digital version

Blooms Taxonomy is a classic educational matrix that identifies the human thinking process from lower to higher thinking skills. An article in Tech & Learning, entitled "Blooms Taxonomy Blooms Digitally"by Andrew Churches , provides an updated IT model.

 Below you find an excerpt from this article, a new adaptation of Bloom's design that includes verbs describing the thinking process as well "digital verbs" in blue, or learning application examples connected to these thinking skills. I understand that the font is tiny, but it is worth a "closer look" to consider the many ways in which the use of digital learning tools can promote higher level thinking and learning skills.

Click here to access the full article.

Critical Thinking Skills & Inquiry Based Learning

Would you like online tools that can help you solve problems, organize your thinking, collaborate with others and reflect on what you have learned? In our efforts to continue to define what it means to enhance "21st Century Education", it is important to emphasize the importance of developing and practicing critical thinking skills. Whether taken from the perspective of independent or collaborative learning, the inquiry based learning process is enhanced when you have effective tools to help you develop your work through out the learning process. Happily, there are wonderful tools today whose sole purpose is to help students organize their thinking process at every stage of inquiry. I have created and attached a mind map which provides examples of different elements of critical thinking and online digital tools students may access for support in the learning process. Enjoy. Practicing Critical Thinking Skills

CONVERGE: Center for Digital Education

One of the great challenges, and pleasures, of the Web 2.0 tools course I am currently taking is the many new learning opportunities and connections I am becoming aware of each week. There are more discoveries than I can do justice to at one time or in one week. However, I am bookmarking new discoveries and looking forward to future explorations and the possibilities of digital learning and education. Just now, I have spent a bit of time previewing CONVERGE: a blog sponsored by the Center for Digital Education. It is worth a look for parents and educators. This blog offers a wide variety of articles and papers on emerging learning possibilities in digital education. It was with some interest then that I read a review on: "Literacy: Traditional Reading Skills Necessary for Digital Literacy" by Jessica Jones on January 13, 2009. This paper focused on the skills needed in a 21st Century eductation: "Digital-age literacy...Inventive thinking...Effective communication...High productivity. Tucked within this list of key words were the words, basic literacy. '"Basic literacy is defined in the report as "language proficiency in English and numeracy at levels necessary to function on the job and in society to achieve one's goals and to develop one's knowledge and potential in the Digital Age."' The three Rs are still very important, learning to read comprehensively, to write effectively and to be proficient in math. Food for thought... For those interested in where "best practices" in digital eduction are headed, click here to check out CONVERGE.

Time To "Rev" Up The Postings and Web 2.0 Tools

Last year, I found this blog to be very helpful to us in our Social Studies classes. It made accessing student friendly Internet links that supported our inquiry much easier to find. We were able to log in and go. Over time I have added new categories to the links in an effort to streamline and make student options more visible.

At the same time, the communication that is possible through a blog has been lacking. I have decided to "rev" up the postings. I will share weekly updates on our work together. I will post project assignments and exemplars.

Presently, I am taking an online Web 2.0 Collaborative Instruction course through the Virtual High School. I have added some new links associated with the new tools I am learning about through VHS. One of my assignments is to post a link to a "mind map" that identifies digital tools that are designed to support our learning. The link below will connect you to mind42.com and the mind map I have begun:

Web 2.0 Curriculum Connections