3 Ways to Encourage Higher Order Thinking with Technology

 Here are three ways for teachers to prepare to design learning experiences that encourage higher order thinking through the use of technology as a tool for learning.

 Source: gettingsmart.com -

Edmodo was one of AASL’s Best Websites for Teaching and Learning in 2011.

  Source:  From www.aasl.ala.org -   

               

Copyright 2009 LCISD

321 Free Tools for Teachers

                              

Would you be interested in the ultimate list of free tools for teachers? At the following post you will found 321 Free Tools for Teachers separated in 18 educational technology categories. Enjoy!

Source: From elearningindustry.com                                      

 

Cool Tools for 21st Century Learners: 10 Terrific Tools in My Toolkit

                             

Susan Oxnevad says, "The key to successful technology integration is the efficient use of digital tools that are appropriate for the task. Technology provides us all with the ability to develop our own toolkit of flexible resources for use when needed. Here is a toolkit I assembled that is filled with tools I frequently use for designing flexible student-driven learning experiences. Starting with a good toolkit is essential."

Source: From d97cooltools.blogspot.com                                        

Who Should Be The First Person on Your Common Core Dream Team? Your Librarian

In a March 30, 2012 School Library Journal article titled Aboard!: Implementing Common Core offers school librarians an opportunity to take the lead, Rebecca Hill wrote these words:

  "OK, so school librarians weren’t invited to the party. When members of the National Educational Association, the National Council for Teachers of English, the International Reading Association, and the American Federation of Teachers met in 2010 to draft new benchmarks for language arts and literacy for our nation’s K–12 schools—the Common Core Curriculum State Standards (www.corestandards.org)—there weren’t any media specialists at the table. Even though school librarians have been longtime champions of information literacy, reading, and critical thinking—all prime pieces of Common Core—we weren’t asked for our input. And two years later, things still aren’t looking up for many of us."
 

  It is a constant battle proving to the public the true value of a librarian. It is one of few educational positions that must prove its "worth," especially in this Digital Age. Nevertheless, the Common Core Standards provide a great opportunity to show that librarians are more than capable as teachers and leaders by assisting with the implementation of these standards and being an integral component in increasing students' literacy.


Essentially, librarians are experts in information literacy. The Standards of the 21st Century Learner published by the American Association of School Librarians has been guiding librarians and the library program for many years which places major emphasis on critical thinking skills, reading, collaboration, technology integration, and literacy skills via multiple sources, Now with the combining of the Standards of the 21st Century Learner and Common Core State Standards (Crosswalk), librarians are in an even better position to help teachers implement an inquiry-based-cross curriculum-higher-order thinking skills curriculum. So, there is no question that a librarian should be on any school's Common Core Dream Team. Librarians are ready! Are you?

Credits: Crosswalk graphic (ala.org); Librarians graphic (pnla.memberclicks.net)