Task 2 - Wordle and Mind Mapping

Wordle is a class favorite.  It is easy for the kids to use and the results are as unique as they are.  I have used Wordles before, but I often forget about the many different uses of them.  Some of my favorites are:

• Character Analysis:  Choosing adjectives that describe a character in a book

• Polls:  Showing the results of classroom polls

• Thesaurus:  I LOVE the idea of having children develop multiple word choices for a "boring word".

• Mother's Day:  A clever gift/card filled with loving adjectives

• Grammar:  A list of a set of words that are nouns, verbs, adverbs, etc.

Mind Maps

I have explored lots of different mind mapping sites, as I really do find that using them is helpful to children.  My biggest problem is that I use them online, but the kids only use them on paper.  My favorite (for its obvious visual appeal) is from Spicy Nodes:



However, I had to input all the information (the children guided me) because the format is not user friendly (for young kids).

I have used Bubbl.us, and liked it because it was user friendly, but it was for MY use, not the kids.  Well, I do share them with the kids and they add information, but I have added it in on their behalf.   You can see the one below is basic...and I added the information that the students dictated on the white board (using a marker...not the program itself) for them.  I just can't manipulate the bubbles quickly enough to type them into the program itself:

I think a big part of why I struggle with using these more frequently (more specifically: letting the children use them) is because I have not mastered the art of creating a mind map so well that it would be second nature to click, type, and arrange the bubbles.  If it is not something I can quickly arrange, I can't expect my students to move past the 'set up' stage and get to the meat of their work.

MindMeister was full of amazing visuals to use with your mind map, but I struggled to manipulate the program...and is it even free for teachers?  I think perhaps (thinking of third graders) there are too many options for them here.



I think my concern is that the 'fun' part of adding clipart - although ABSOLUTELY worthwhile because it does really help them remember what they are learning - may take over and absorb so much of the kids' time while they use the program. I just haven't figured out how to enable the children to use a mind map online (smoothly and independently) so that the tool doesn't overpower what they are actually creating a mind map about.

That being said, I know these are worthwhile tools.  I know mind-mapping helps children (and adults) retain information.  It's like using a file cabinet to organize knowledge acquired.  My students are taught how to use them (especially for organizing notes while reading non-fication), on paper, and also help me create them using online programs with their input...but is that really enough?  Perhaps it would help if I start by choosing one program that is child friendly, master it, and then choose an activity/lesson for mind mapping so they can try it out.  Kidspiration?  Maybe so.

Task One

Learning and the Brain (Click the picture to test your brain ability!)

• The young children we work with in Lower Division have been raised in a completely digital world.  Although I was very aware of that, I didn't realize that their experiences with computers, video games, and constant digital interaction have actually wired their brains differently than mine.  In the article by Ian Jukes, he described how neuronal connections form.  The myelinated circuits that are so powerful are developed as a result of using particular pathways of the brain over and over again.  Our children, who participate in video games regularly, are thereby developing those skills and hard-wiring their brains to process information differently.
• I also didn't realize how important visuals and pictures are to increasing our students' ability to remember information.  This obviously indicates that teachers should be using visuals, computer animations, or simple 2D illustrations to complement our instruction.  Wordy Power Points are not in the best interest of the kids, though they may help us, as the teacher, to remember what to say.
• Web 2.0 programs are naturally inviting to our Digital Natives; rich in color and animation.  Naturally drawn to these interactive, immediate result-type programs, teachers should take advantage of what they offer.  
• Probably my favorite quote from Ian Jukes was: "You couldn't live or work in another country unless you resided there and learned the language, customs, and culture.  In much the same way, to operate today in the new digital landscape, to live, work and communicate effectively, we need more than superficial understanding of this digital landscape. We need a deep understanding of the language, customs, culture, and learning styles of our children."

21st Century Skills

The skills outlined go beyond the traditional scope and sequence of any content area.  Beyond learning facts and figures, today's students will be required to develop and acquire the ability to think critically, problem solve and work with others productively.   I often think back of my own experiences in school, noting how ill-prepared I was for college.  My college experience was also truly not rigorous enough to prepare me for the real world of teaching.  Anyone can memorize content and regurgitate it.  Not everyone inherently knows how to develop innovative ideas.  


With an ever-evolving technological environment, our students will naturally need to learn how to adapt and grow along with it.  In addition to learning new programs, they will have to evaluate the never-ending influx of information, decide what is necessary for the task at hand, and then utilize any data to solve the particular problem being solved.


It reminds me of how I prepared myself for a play in softball.  When playing defensively, I always stopped to analyze the situation at the moment and prepare for what I would do next.  Of course, that all depended on what the batter accomplished.  What do I do if she hits the ball to me?  What if it's a fly ball?  What if she hits it toward third base?  How can I go for a double-play?  What about the runner at first?  What if she tries to steal?  

My plan changed with the batter's skill and the circumstances of how many runners were on the bases, how many outs we had, etc., etc.  I knew I couldn't just rely on last minute instinct to make the best play.  Knowing the rules of the game does not make you a better problem-solver during a play.  Likewise, our students need to learn about content, but they also require practice in problem solving under unusual circumstances, utilizing what resources they have.

The "Life and Career Skills"  appear to be a perfect place for me to start.  Students in my class are young and just learning how to work both independently and as a member of a group.  The skills outlined here are actually of great importance to me.  My goals have often been to get my students prepared to:

• Incorporate feedback effectively
• Deal positively with praise, setbacks and criticism
• Set goals with tangible and intangible success criteria
• Balance short-term and long-term goals
• Utilize time and manage workload efficiently
• Monitor, define, prioritize and complete tasks without direct oversight
• Demonstrate initiative to advance skill levels
• Demonstrate commitment to learning as a lifelong process
• Know when it is appropriate to listen and when to speak
• Conduct themselves in a respectable, professional manner
• Respond open-mindedly to different ideas and values
• Set and meet goals, even in the face of obstacles and competing pressure
• Prioritize, plan and manage work to achieve the intended result
• Manage time and projects effectively
• Multi-task
• Participate actively, as well as be reliable and punctual
• Collaborate and cooperate effectively with teams
• Respect and appreciate team diversity
• Be accountable for results

Now, I'm not sure these are the most important overall in life, but I do think they are a great place for third graders to begin their quest.  Becoming independent, responsible students paves the way for children to become independent, responsible employees.  

It seems to me that the most important skills we can help our children develop are being able to think creatively so that they can problem-solve, using the amazing resources available while developing an increased ability to work with others.  I watched a fantastic video here which highlighted a group of fifth graders completing a project about success.  The young boy in the clip spoke to the President of Verizon in West Virginia to find out what particular skills would be required to succeed in the 21st Century.  By golly, even the President of Verizon felt that problem solving, working with others, and learning about technology tools would be the most valuable.

So...what else can we do to help prepare our kids?  It's very easy for me to figure out how to teach content to my third graders...but how do you teach cooperation, resourcefulness, and a never-give-up attitude?