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Stimulating critical thinking using technology has the potential to create more in depth understanding of science and math content by students when engaged in learning activities which integrate in-class and on-line technology resources. Technology tools support stimulation of both inquiry-based and critical thinking skills by engaging students in exploring, thinking, reading, writing, researching, inventing, problem-solving, and experiencing the world outside their classroom. This is accomplished through learning content through the lens of video to multimedia to the internet (Using Technology to Improve Student Achievement, NCREL, 2005).

Suggestions from educators at KIPP King Collegiate High School on how to help develop and assess critical thinking skills in your students.

School students are one of the groups served by the Library. Today's young people are exposed to more information than any previous generation. The sheer quantity of information students are now expected to process and manipulate makes critical thinking and information literacy skills more important than ever. To this end the Library has recently developed the ergo website, a learning and teaching tool for secondary teachers and students that supports the instruction of information literacy and critical thinking skills in the classroom. ergo provides not only online resources but also a conceptual framework for the development of the skills students need to evaluate information.

In this first three-part post, John Larmer describes how he and co-author Susie Boss answered the question in their newly published book, 'PBL for 21st Century Success: Teaching Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Communication, and Creativity'. In the next post, Deborah Esparza will review the book from "the field". For the final post, co-author Susie Boss has been invited to explain why she and John choose this topic.

1st of 3 articles introducing Larmer & Boss' new book published by BIE

The iPod Touch brings a new dimension to teaching and learning in the science or math classroom - Mobile Learning! No longer are students required to only learn within the confines of their classroom when using this digital tool.

Daily summary of the stories, articles, and resources for teaching K-12 science and math.

"John Mergendoller is Executive Director of the Buck Institute for Education, where he leads a talented team focused on building the capacity of districts, schools and teachers to do high quality Project Based learning. He has taught in both elementary and high schools, and received his Ph.D. in Education and Psychology from the University of Michigan."

John Mergendoller is Executive Director of the Buck Institute for Education, where he leads a talented team focused on building the capacity of districts, schools and teachers to do high quality Project Based learning. He has taught in both elementary and high schools, and received his Ph.D. in Education and Psychology from the University of Michigan.

Several educators suggest in the newest issue of Science that schools use video games to simulate the real-world situations in the classroom to help students develop critical-thinking skills and enhance their understanding of science and math and, perhaps, even encourage them to pursue careers in those and related fields such as technology and engineering.

Alberta schools use the Critical Thinking Consortium's tools for guiding inquiry. I looked into the one about investigating pictures.

Project based learning using all or any of the three online resources offers a dynamic approach to teaching in which students explore real-world problems and challenges.

Six math projects that integrate real-world math problems are presented as a teaching strategy for helping students develop a greater understanding of math.

Uses "Primary Sources"--not sure if they are LOC

As most of you know, the uber gods of PBL are BIE. I was first introduced to the BIE PBL 'model' from mate Dean Groom who handed me over what I still refer to as my 'PBL Bible' - a ring-binder full of the BIE Freebies that help teachers plan effective projects and keep students on track as they move through the different phases of each project. The cool thing is that you can use as much or as little as you want … PBL is a very personal process that (like all good teaching) should be tailored to the expertise and needs of the teacher and students. However, there are 8 Elements of Project Based Learning that can be called the 'essential elements' of PBL … keeping an eye on these and 'testing' your project design based on them can help you determine if what you're creating isn't just a 'project'. I really like this statement from BIE contrasting PBL and traditional 'projects':

A typical unit with a "project" add-on begins by presenting students with knowledge and concepts and then, once gained, giving students the opportunity to apply them. Project Based Learning begins with the vision of an end product or presentation. This creates a context and reason to learn and understand the information and concepts.

A major award! I'm honoring them for stepping outside the comfort zone of the school system that they have been subject to for most of their lives, authoring their own learning, and in the process, enjoying it. However, this transition did not come easily, and it took them some time to adjust to this format. 

Students make connections with many science concepts and communicate their recommendations to officials and organizations regarding the future of artificial reefs.

Resources for projects relating to 9/11 anniversary in which students examine artifacts, conduct oral histories, and think critically about media.