Integrating
Technology:
Mindtools Approach
INTC 5330
Summer 2011
Questions
• What do you believe is the single most
important benefit of using computers in
the classroom?
• What is the single most important thing to
learn about computers?
• Why are you taking this course?
Introduction
• Computers have been used in education since
the 1970s
o
Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) programs
 Drill and practice
o
Computer-based Tutorials
 Present – Response - Feedback
o
Intelligent Tutoring Systems
 Present expert models
• Used behaviorist reward/cognitive processing
• Focus was on learning from computers
Introduction
• Traditional computer approaches work for lower
order outcomes
o
o
o
Factual recall
Memorization
Procedural thinking
• However, costly and time consuming to create,
and often poorly designed
• Can achieve same results without computers
Introduction
• In the 1980s, Computer Literacy became
the goal
o
o
Learning definitions of computer parts
Emphasis on learning the tool (computer and
software packages) and not on the content
• Assumption that computers were difficult
to learn and utilize
• Emphasis was learning about computers
Introduction
• Has led to computer labs vs. machines in
the classroom
• Emphasis on tool, not what can be
accomplished with the computer
• Takes computers out of context
• Teaches computers as the “end” not the
“means”
Introduction
• Mindtools
o
o
o
Constructivist perspective of computers
Harnesses the power of the computer
Support:





Knowledge construction
Exploration
Learning by doing
Learning by dialogue/conversation
Computers as intellectual partners
• Focus is learning with computers
Your Challenge
• To create useful, inexpensive ways to enhance
student achievement, particularly of higher-order
outcomes by employing a Mindtools approach
• To go beyond the “learning from” or “learning
about” computers approaches as much as
possible
• To learn by engaging yourself in learning all you
can in this course
My Challenge
• To support you in meeting the challenges
of learning not only the software but also
how to integrate it into your teaching
• To model the Mindtools approach
• To help you find ways to create
meaningful projects for you to take into
your classrooms
What You Will Do in this Course
• Create meaningful educational activities using
Mindtools
o
o
o
o
Spreadsheets and databases
Concept maps
Multimedia presentations
Web pages and the Internet
• Learn some basic skills
• Learn about new developments in educational
technologies
• Learn from each other as well as from the
readings and assignments
Defining Mindtools
• Easy to learn
• Amplify thinking by:
o
o
o
o
Communicating ideas
Managing information
Reorganize knowledge
Assist reflection
• Build knowledge vs. Use Information
Examples of Mindtools
• Gathering and Organization tools
o
o
o
o
Web Searches
Concept Maps
Wikis
Spreadsheets
• Reflective Tools
o
o
Interactive Whiteboards
Blogs
• Knowledge Construction tools
o
o
o
Visuals
Multimedia
Podcasting
Reasons for Mindtools
• Active – learners interpret and manipulate
phenomena
• Constructive – create mental models of the world
• Intentional – reflective and metacognitive
• Authentic – learning tasks are meaningful to the
learner
• Cooperative – learners learn from one another
Practical Reasons for Mindtools
• Lack of software
• Costs of computing
• Efficiency of costs vs. use
Critical Thinking
• Critical Thinking – objective judgment
o
o
o
Evaluating
Analyzing
Connecting
Creative Thinking
• Creating new knowledge based on
personal understandings
o
o
o
Synthesizing
Imagining
Elaborating
Complex Thinking
• Complex thinking
o
o
o
Problem solving
Designing
Decision making
Summary
• Mindtools seek to harness more of the
computers power than traditional
approaches
• Computers are tools for thinking
• Mindtools are easy to learn yet powerful in
application