Reimagine Teaching & Learning
Module 4
21 Century Skills and Common Core Standards through Knowledge Construction
45 minutes
st
Microsoft advocates innovative instructional technology practices through this training modules. The focus is on how
to use a Windows 8 device in teaching and learning. A special feature is Common Core standards and objectives
examples of how this training can be used for instruction. Part of the learning process is to reflect on how you or the
teachers you support can incorporate this in your classroom. Be sure to allow time during the training for this type of
reflection.
Common Core Activity 5
CCSS 6.G.1 Find the area of right
triangles, other triangles, special
quadrilaterals, and polygons by
composing into rectangles or
decomping into triangles and other
shapes; apply these techniques in
the context of solving real-world
mathematical problems.
Objective: Create a math game using Kodu Game Lab to practice the math skill of
area of triangles and quadrilaterals in real-life situations. Players must use
Mathematics 4.0 to solve problems in the game.
For this module, briefly demonstrate some of the free knowledge construction tools available from the Partners
in Learning Network, then let participants explore with the tool that they are most interested in learning more
about.
Be sure that this video can be shown: http://csamarktng.vo.msecnd.net/kodu/kodu_video_OV2.html
Slide or
screenshots of demo
Script
Many school activities require students to learn and reproduce information
they are given. Certainly it is essential for students to master the important
content of a domain, but memorization alone does not give students the
critical thinking and reasoning skills that they will need for success in higher
academics and in knowledge-based organizations. With information so
readily available through the Internet and other sources, employees must
be able to integrate and evaluate information in order to use it productively
in their work. Increasingly, most living-wage jobs also demand higher levels
of expertise than in the past and the ability to apply knowledge to new
situations and new problems.
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Knowledge construction activities require students to generate ideas and
understandings that are new to them. Students can do this through
interpretation, analysis, synthesis, or evaluation. In stronger activities,
knowledge construction is the main requirement of the learning activity.
The strongest activities require students to apply the knowledge they
constructed in a different context, helping them to deepen their
understanding further, and to connect information and ideas from two or
more academic disciplines (for example, integrating learning from both
science and literature).
Windows 8 and the Partners in Learning Network combine to provide some
amazing tools that can be used in learning activities to support knowledge
construction.
You will briefly share about each of the apps or guides listed on this
PowerPoint slide that can be found on the Partners in Learning Network.
When you are done sharing, the participants will select which ones they
want to explore.
Kodu:
Start by showing this video:
http://csamarktng.vo.msecnd.net/kodu/kodu_video_OV2.html
Kodu is a visual programming tool that has users construct programs using
visual elements instead of typing code. It is so visual that even 2nd graders
can learn to use it.
Kodu helps students learn programming and other skills in a fun way:
 Explore the “behind the scenes” of game development.
 Demonstrate learning through creating a game.
 Revise concepts taught in various learning areas.
 Improve critical thinking and problem solving skills.
 Improve student collaboration and cooperation.
 Inspire confidence in programming skills.
In addition, the software is full of tutorials so that students can learn on
their own. There is no need for you to be an expert!
Mathematics 4.0:
Mathematics 4.0 can help students understand mathematics, science, and
tech-related concepts with powerful, easy-to use tools including a graphing
calculator, unit converter, triangle solver, and equation solver. Step-by-step
solutions are provided for each problem, so students can learn problem
solving skills fast and easy. An improved Computer Algebra System (CAS)
helps teachers share and solve more complex equations and functions. It is
capable of handling many subjects, including pre-algebra, algebra,
trigonometry, calculus, physics, and chemistry. Handwriting recognition is
included so all students can write out problems by hand.
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Present concepts in an engaging way while zeroing in on answers.
Visualize many complex concepts with the powerful Graphing
Calculator.
Use the Triangle Solver to help students understand the relationship of
sides, angles, values, and formulas.
Use the Conversion Tool to spend more time exploring and testing,
and less time calculating.
Use the Equation Solver to work through step-by-step solutions to
many mathematical problems.
Keep track of insights anytime using Ink Handwriting Support for
Tablets and ultra-mobile PCs.
Photosynth:
Encourage creative learning in your classroom by using interactive 3D
technology to tell personal stories and explore places, events, and activities.
Microsoft Photosynth lets anyone reconstruct a 3D experience from flat
photographs and offers both detailed synths and panorama experiences.
With a synth, you take numerous pictures of a single item from different
angles to create a 3D reality experience. With a panorama, you create an
immersive view of a particular place. You can create and share personal
Photosynths for class activities or use public Photosynths from other
contributors to explore far-off places.
Show the two Photosynth links:
 http://photosynth.net/view.aspx?cid=b27960f3-cc62-4711-9c02a84f1a8bb9a5
 http://photosynth.net/view.aspx?cid=af22429b-77a6-422a-8b83041f62d420a4
Give this url to anyone who wants to learn more on their own.
How to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnX08sZevKk
If you want to create panoramas using your Windows 8 device, you will
want to download Microsoft Image Composite Editor ICE which is an
advanced panoramic image stitcher:
http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/um/redmond/groups/ivm/ice/
Math Worksheet Generator
Need a faster way to create math practice problem worksheets for your
students? Microsoft's Math Worksheet Generator is your answer. It creates
multiple math practice problems, from basic math to algebra, in seconds.
You provide a sample math problem and the Math Worksheet Generator
does the rest. It even gives you an answer sheet!
If students have it installed, you can have them create their own worksheets
for extra practice!
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Critical thinking is more than a classroom skill; it is a thought process that
helps people throughout their entire lives. Microsoft's guide on teaching
critical thinking through Web research skills, along with the many excellent
educator community resources it includes, can help you better teach critical
thinking skills as part of your existing curriculum. These materials can help
you teach students how to ask the right questions, think for themselves,
research subjects more effectively, and ascertain the validity and reliability
of information—skills that will be critical to their future success in the
connected 21st century digital world.
Critical Thinking Teaching Guide
The Critical Thinking Teaching Guide offers three levels of coursework for
middle school and high school students. Beginners to advanced students
are introduced to critical thinking concepts via teacher's lesson plans,
worksheets, and teacher demonstrations in five Critical Thinking categories:
validity and reliability, plagiarism, civil discourse, citing Web resources, and
searching. They'll help you structure your classroom for not just critical
thinking, but creative thinking as well.
Developing critical thinking skills for web research can help students:
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Improve online search skills.
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Evaluate information more effectively.
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Incorporate appropriate information in daily schoolwork and projects.
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Learn to apply critical thinking in their daily life.
Note: If participants select this to look through, have them navigate to page
13 where they can take a look at the Essential Web Research Skills and
begin to see how the guide is organized.
Flashcards:
Build memory and recognition skills with a modern twist on the classic
learning tool of flashcards. With Microsoft's Flashcards application, teachers
and students alike can create, share and study flashcards online. Flashcards
provides a unique experience for everyone, enabling students to learn at
their own pace so they can build confidence and stay engaged. You can
create your own decks or use an existing deck from the community website.
Teachers and parents can access student progress reports, and students can
self-test to get instant feedback.
Have participants move into groups based on their interest of what they
want to explore. Have them download the appropriate tool (or PDF) and
spend the remainder of the time going through it, thinking about these
guiding questions.
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