There are many tools available to help students learning process. However, there are some significant benefits to using a technology tool. By using a tool that is current in today’s society you are helping to prepare your students to be 21st Century Learners. Students use higher level thinking skills and are more engaged when advanced organizers are used.
A cognitive tool that is used to aid the learning process must be appropriate for the student’s developmental level. There are many tools that can be used, from a word processing document to an online collaborative wiki. The use of cues, questions, advance organizers, summarizing and note-taking all help students to access their prior knowledge and achieve higher level thinking. After I decided to take my class on a “Virtual Field Trip” back to The First Thanksgiving, we created a concept map of what we wanted to learn. I used SpiderScribe.net to make the concept map. I would have normally created the “plan” of what we were going to do before hand, but there was power in having my students help create the map. Their interest guided the plan, instruction and finally the actual virtual field trip. Since students were coming up with ideas for the map, they were able to access prior knowledge and have it guide their interests. The mapping tool is laid out in an organized way and allowed a visual for English Language Learners and resource students; I believe that this was an effective tool for all students.
I found that the Virtual field trip was great, it kept the students active , on task, and generated loads of questions. We then took the time to go to SpiderScribe.net and did a graphic organizer in which they were very receptive about, this was a great way to access prior knowledge. You are correct in your discussion.
ReplyDeleteJeanne Kitchell