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Eclectic Technology
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Tech tools that assist all students to be independent learners & teachers to become better teachers
Curated by
Beth Dichter
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Infographics are modern, written artifacts about collected resources in a dynamic, visual format. Infographics should be viewed as complex, standalone texts, not simply a text feature or graphic element.
Beth Dichter's insight:
This paper looks at digital literacy, specifically how infographics can be used to meet Common Core standards. A well designed infographic will have: * A Purpose * A Style * Evidence * Format The paper also includes a section "How can I teach comprehension with infographics?" This section includes two infographics and has the students critique them using the following questions: * What is the author's purpose or question? * What evidence supports the author's claim? * What are the strongest elements of this design? * How could the design be improved? You could use these same questions and have students in your class critique their infographic and their classmates. And last but by no means least they provide a list of locations where you can create an infographic. Infographics support reading comprehension and writing skills. They also allow students to strengthen their critical thinking skills and synthesis skills. 
niftyjock's curator insight,
January 19, 2014 7:12 PM
I often get very bored with infographics, but these techniques will help me not only read them better but have a go at c reating my own 
Greenwich Connect's curator insight,
January 20, 2014 7:28 AM
Slightly overblown tone, presumably to help what is a useful overview of infographics sound more "academic" - read between the lines for what students should think through and how they should approach their own infographic production 
Kerri Schaub's curator insight,
January 20, 2014 8:10 AM
Visualizing is a powerful multisensory technique. |
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Are our schools doing a good job of preparing students for a world where questioning is a survival skill?
Beth Dichter's insight:
The complete title of this post is Why It's Imperative to Teach Students to Question as the Ultimate Survival Skill? Do you believe this is important? If so, how do you go about teaching your students to ask good questions? This post begins by looking at the importance of questioning, and notes that many leaders in the high-tech world began with a Montessori education, a system that encourages curiousity from a young age. The ability to ask insightful questions is something that may be more critical as we move forward. The question is how to we do this. The post notes that many teachers do not feel like they have time for students to ask questions. If this is true what should we do? It suggests that we make it both "safe" and "cool" to ask questions, and also suggests looking at resources available from The Right Question Institute and from Question Day 2014.
Nancy Jones's curator insight,
March 18, 2014 2:52 PM
Risk taking and questioning have always been learning skillls. It just seems that students, and possibly their parents, aren't willing to acknowledge them as the best way to learn. The whole idea of thinking critically and making a "best guess' seem to be unacceptable to some folks. What does that say about the whole quality/gift of wonder?
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It's difficult to deny the promise that ed-tech holds, but educators must understand technology's limitations and best uses in education.
Beth Dichter's insight:
Is ed-tech working? Perhaps the best answer is "it depends" on many factors, some known and some unknown. When we talk about ed-tech we are talking about tools. For tools to be used effectively teachers must be provided with high quality professional development and support. This post explores the issues of ed-etch tools by looking at how programs in a variety of locations has worked and exploring additional issues including: * Are students experiencing digital overload? * How does Google (let's call it using the Internet since not everyone uses Google) impact your brain and learning? * How can ed-tech tools help build 21st century learning skills? There is much food for thought in this post and I will leave you with a quote from Sylvia Martinez, the president of Generation YES, "The best way to use tech in the classroom is when the technology primarily supports the process of student learning, not the product. Sure, it’s easy to get excited when we find tools that make things easier, but we have to be careful about what’s getting automated. Tools that support deep student creativity may take more time to learn, but in the end, give students access to powerful, creative experiences. The learning that takes place on the journey is the real outcome, and a "push-button" tool deprives the child of that experience."
Sophie Smith's comment,
March 1, 2013 8:22 PM
That's okay! I found it a great article that will help me keep in mind that technology needs to be used smartly and not necessarily to excess to help students learn to use and explore it.
Sophie Smith's comment,
March 1, 2013 8:22 PM
That's okay! I found it a great article that will help me keep in mind that technology needs to be used smartly and not necessarily to excess to help students learn to use and explore it.
Christina Paxton's curator insight,
June 25, 2014 6:48 AM
Outlines the Pros and Cons of Ed Tech in the classroom. Presents several real-world possibilities for incorporating technology in the classroom. |
This site provides a range of materials to help students learn critical thinking skills. The resources include:
* A video that helps guide you on ways to improve your critical thinking skills.
* An infographic (see image above) that helps you visualize the questions to consider asking.
* Top Tips for Critical Thinking - Five tips are provided with additional information under each.
* An Apply Section which has three questions that students may answer.
* Enhance Your Wellness - learn a few tips that will help your mental and physical health that may allow you to improve your focus and your grades.
There is a lot of excellent information in this post. Although it is geared to college students much of this may be used in upper elementary, middle and high school.