Teaching Critical Thinking with Technology

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Teaching Critical Thinking with Technology

• Dr. Roy M. Bohlin

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Technology as a Tool

• Make decisions based upon goals and
  objectives. If a technology helps achieve the
  goal and it fits your philosophy of teaching,
  then consider using it.
• Teacher centered vs. student centered

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• The technologies of today bring the tools of
  empowerment into the hands and minds of those who
  use them.
• George Lucas Education Foundation

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Interactive Clickers

• These interactive devices promote student
  decision making in class and can give rapid
  feedback.
• They can be used with case studies or simulations
  for individual or small group decisions.

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Simulations

• Many disciplines have ready-made computerized
  simulations.
• Students learning to apply their knowledge to
  realistic situations with low risk.
• Many simulations promote critical thinking as
  students move from novice toward expert.

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Critical Thinking and the Internet

• URLs What's in an address?
• Web addresses can provide clues for the
  reliability of information. The .edu domain is
  generally assumed to be reliable, while .com is
  seen as commercial and less reliable.
• Exceptions?
• Washington International University?http//www.was
  hint.edu/?example of a diploma mill, that uses
  the .edu domain
• Carson Lee's Home Page?http//www.acm.vt.edu/jche
  n/?.edu domain using tilde to designate a
  student's page
• Psych Central?http//psychcentral.com/?.com used
  for a non-profit Web site produced by a
  psychologist

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Authority

• Can we trust the source? To be trusted, documents
  on the web should state their authors. What
  constitutes an expert? Many non-experts have
  created valuable web sites.
• Wind Power?http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_power
  ?Wikipedia, this is written by an anonymous
  author or authors
• Henry James scholar's Guide to Web
  Sites?http//www2.newpaltz.edu/hathawar/cutting/?
  expertise on Henry James -- no expertise on the
  Web and searches

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Dates

• When was it written or updated? Dates may not
  accurately reflect the content.
• UBC Humanists' Society?http//www.ams.ubc.ca/clubs
  /humanist/?last updated 2000
• Endangered Species?http//agham.asti.dost.gov.ph/5
  th/inside/science/article.html?no date on page

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Internet Searches

• Using search engines (especially advanced
  searching) activates multiple areas of the brain.
• Google
• Meta-search engines
• Dogpile www.dogpile.com
• SurfWax www.surfwax.com
• Vivisimo? http//vivisimo.com/
• Copernic Agent www.copernic.com

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WebQuests

• A WebQuest is a highly-structured
  inquiry-oriented lesson format in which most or
  all the information that learners work with comes
  from the web.
• The model was developed by Bernie Dodge at San
  Diego State University.
• http//www.webquest.org/index.php

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Components of a WebQuest

• Introduction
• Task
• Process
• Evaluation
• Conclusion
• As with most Inquiry, the key is to have an
  interesting problem to solve.

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Less Structured Quest

• When students are ready, they can be given
  interesting problems without the full structure.
  It can be open ended or open process.
• It can be directed inquiry or self-directed.

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Research vs. Web Search

• Make sure that students learn the huge
  difference between Research and Web Search.

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Probeware

• In the sciences, these devices can be
  programmed to gather and graph data. This gives
  more time for students to critically analyze the
  results and hypothesize.
• Temperature
• pH
• Brightness
• Velocity

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Blogs

• This can be a can of worms, but using blogs
  can promote Student Philosophers.
• Critical thinking can be promoted with the
  writing and feedback given, if the focus is on
  truly critical analysis.

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Databases/Spreadsheets

• Real data
• Sorting and/or filtering
• Graphing
• Seeking patterns and relation-ships
• Answering important questions

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Video Case Studies

• Multimedia bring the case alive.
• Can be used in class or streamed for assignments
  outside of class.
• Multiple sources can add depth to the case and
  the analysis.
• Current news shows can be a source

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Student Created Projects

• Websites
• Video Projects
• Podcasts
• Wikis
• Much more..

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Educause Top Teaching-With-Technology Challenges

• Creating learning environments that promote
  active learning, critical thinking, etc. ?
• Developing 21st-century literacies (informa-tion,
  digital visual) among students faculty.?
• Reaching and engaging todays learners.?
• Encouraging faculty to adopt innovate with new
  technology for teaching learning.?
• Advancing innovation in teaching learning with
  technology in an era of budget cuts.

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• Questions? Comments?
• Thank You!