EDUC 667 Summer 2004

Semantic Map Paper –

“What I’ve Learned from This Class”

I learned from this class that technology must be used in the classroom as a mindtool for critical thinking. Teachers must alter how they teach in order to

promote critical thinking in the classroom to engage student’s minds, and prepare them in a way that will guide them in their future endeavors. In order for

students to be successful, they must have problem solving abilities and in order to do this their complex thinking skills must be developed and improved.

Units that are created must have instructional purpose. The unit must be planned in a way that supports learning so that the student is presented with a

number of opportunities to make decisions, create, and design parts of the lessons, or use multiple resource tools that will enhance their understanding of the

subject matter. Collaboration amongst students will enable them to practice working together to solve problems, a skill that will make them a more valuable

asset in the work force. Assessing what the students learned is most important when planing the unit since assessing critical thinking is a challenge and the

goal. The unit and assessment both must be aligned with the state standards to be an effective unit. The unit plans and assessment need to be revised over

and over again to ensure that students will get the maximum benefit from the unit. Learning should be sequential, and give the students many opportunities to

use complex thinking skills.

When creating a unit the teacher should attempt to utilize the technology in a way that increases the LoTi level used in the classroom. The use technology to

solve real life problems should be the ultimate goal. The students should be expected to access information, interpret that information and represent to the

teacher or class what they know. Using computers as mindtools will be the most efficient way for future teachers.