Module 2 Synthesis

EDUC 300- Module 2 Synthesis

By Ilicia Kelly

            HOT (higher order thinking) challenges students not to simply memorize information, but to "understand, infer, connect, categorize, synthesize, evaluate, and apply the information they know to find solutions to new and existing problems", according to ReadWriteThink.org. "Families and out-of-school educators can play a significant role in encouraging higher order thinking with their kids and teens, even when having a casual conversation.  Asking open-ended questions that don’t have one “right” answer gives children confidence to respond in creative ways without being afraid of being “wrong.”  After reading a book together, a parent might ask their child a question such as: “If you were that character, how would you have persuaded Timothy to turn himself in?” rather than something like “What was the main character’s name in the book?”" (ReadWriteThink.org). A socio-moral climate in a classroom is another important concept that focuses on the interactions between the teacher and student and between the students themselves. Scaffolding refers to showing and explaining to students a task or skill and then walking them through it step by step until they can do it themselves; also known as "guided practice" (MathVIDS). "Provides an effective way for students to gradually but thoroughly learn a math concept/skill, rather than being expected to automatically transfer what they see the teacher do to doing it independently. Learning characteristics such as memory problems, attention difficulties, and academic skill deficiencies make this expectation an unrealistic one"(MathVIDS).

            How do these three concepts inter-relate? They are all ingredients that are necessary in building a successful learning environment. Each element is important in building a successful relationship between the teacher and student, challenging the students' minds, and using instruction that benefits all students, regardless of learning styles. How can you have a healthy classroom without a positive socio-moral climate? Successful teachers connect with their students; they provide a positive and interactive climate in the classroom that students feel connected to and strive to be involved in. How can we have synthesis in a classroom without HOT? How can we be sure that students are absorbing the information if they aren't challenged to think of concepts in many different ways? And finally, how can each student be educated if the style of learning is not one used by all students? As educators, we need to focus on techniques that benefit all students and help them discover the answers, not merely force them to memorize and regurgitate them.

            How can discussion forums be used to encourage thinking? They do so by asking HOT questions; open ended questions with no wrong answer. Each discussion forum in Dr. Gusa's classes always use HOT in the discussion forums, and this technique allows each student to explore the concept in their own way.

            A web 2.0 tool that I found that would be helpful in the education field is Edmodo.com. This is a helpful tool where the students can develop skills with technology as well as incorporate new methods of synthesizing the information learned in class. I watched the video that explained an overview of Edmodo and it sounds amazing. It even has a calendar that looks a lot like the one Dr. Gusa uses in her module.

            I enjoyed many of the posts from my fellow classmates. Christina Boxler stated that discussion forums allow students to feel more free in their responses. I agree with her because there is a certain freedom in having the time to formulate an educated and researched response devoid of the public speaking fear that many have in a classroom setting. Ashley Abeling had an interesting concept of writing down her thoughts to get the creative juices flowing before revising and adding research.

            The most important thing I learned in this module is that there are many elements that go into learning. It's not merely a transfer of information from the instructor to student; it involves so many facets like the tools used in teaching, the interactions between teacher and student, and the techniques the students use that will benefit them most. The questions that I have that have regarding online learning is that with so many web 2.0 tools, how do educators figure out which ones will help them most? I feel like I could drown in all the apps that I find online. There are so many that it is overwhelming.

           

Self Assessment- 100pts- I completed all criteria and answered all the questions outlined by Dr Gusa.