Critical Thinking in the High School Classroom

This week we were asked to evaluate using the Intel Thinking Tools and/or Thinkfinity to promote higher thinking skills in the classroom. Since my content is chemistry I chose to use the Intel Showing Evidence Tool for my lesson. The reason I made this choice is because I see great promise for this particular software. This is because it will involve the use of higher level thinking and develop the skills of debate and persuasive writing. That is the students will learn to make an argument and defend it with evidence. That is defend it with properly cited sources. I envision using this for writing assignments. (Let's not forget writing across the curriculum.) The assignments would be pulled from current events. This year I would probably use the BP oil spill in the Gulf. How is this going to affect the ecosystem? Will there be long-lasting effects? Should BP be held 100% responsible, if not how responsible are they? They would, of course, have to tie their choice of thesis in with chemistry.
The assignment would be done in stages, with the first being the selection of the question, the second being the research, the third being the draft, and the fourth being the final submission. At each stage the student will be required to submit something. At the second stage we will discuss evaluating sources. At the third or fourth stage one of the topics will be properly citing those sources. This tool from Intel will make all of these stages easier to learn. Additionally the pro and con features of the tool will assist the student with the proper construction of the argument including being able to defend against the "cons."

Should the Department of Education be disbanded

There is a recurrent theme in American politics to eliminate the Department of Education. This year it is being shouted by the Tea Party candidates. I worry that without federal oversight the differences between education in the different states would become so large as to make a high school diploma meaningless. What do you think?

Sent from my iPhone

Google Tips

I found this little trick that will allow the creation of accounts on many pages using a "fake" email. This would allow for the creation of student accounts for the purpose of learning one specific site or tool that the student will never use again. For instance, we could all have used it to create accounts at Diigo without giving them real information. In the seconday schools we will need to be concerned with student privacy. Now you can give every student an account on website X without worrying about this site spamming them or their email address being sold/stolen.

• Google Tips

  fake emails for creating accounts for wikis etc. also has directions for embedding google calendars etc

  tags: google student accounts web2.0

Posted from Diigo. 

Learning in Virtual Worlds

I viewed the short video on gaming as learning. I chose this video for several reasons, not the least of which is that I don't game and no NOTHING about it. I'm amazed by the people who can find hours in their day to spend playing Farmville, etc. This piece was actually about interactive gaming, which Farmville is not. The one game that was mentioned by name was World of Warcraft. This speaker contends that in these games students learn to act as a team. Failing to make a cohesive team will lead to virtual death. It is therefore imperative that the players have individual strengths, but they must be aware of their teammates strengths and how to utilize them, as well. He contends that this is way things are in "work life." The architect, the salesman, and the engineer have different skill sets that are all necessary to the success of the project. School is in opposition to this. We teach to the class and test the individual. "Collaboration in the school environment is called cheating."

From my middle-age perspective: Yes these games are social and interactive; but what happened to playing ball and talking to people? You can interact with a third level warrior princess, but can you ask a girl out? It's not the same thing. Children are suppose to learn how to socialize in school. It's not just about the three R's.

Apple launches their own social networking site.

http://www.apple.com/itunes/ping

New Yorkers Divided Over Islamic Center, Poll Finds - NYTimes.com

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/03/nyregion/03poll.html?_r=1&hp

 

Two-thirds of New York City residents want a planned Muslim community center and mosque to be relocated to a less controversial site farther away from ground zero in Lower Manhattan, including many who describe themselves as supporters of the project, according to a New York Times poll.