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The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies, including the use of technology, to encourage children's development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills.
 * Standard 4**
 * Teachers know how to teach. **

Evidence 1: (EDT650) Web 2.0 Tools [|Wix Website Builder] , Voki Domo Animation Webspiration

Rationale 1: One of the many useful teaching techniques I learned during EDT650 was how to use Web 2.0 tools to help my students develop better critical thinking, problem solving and performance skills. The explosion of WEB 2.0 tools has allowed teachers like me to build a variety of unique educational devices without having to purchase expensive software. Some of the 2.0 tools that I’ve used successfully in my chemistry, physics, astronomy, and physical science classes (grades 9 – 12) include: [|Wix Website Builder], Voki, Domo Animation, and Webspiration. Wix is a free flash website builder, a Voki is an avatar-like device that can talk for the user, Domo Animation is a cartoon animator, and Webspiration is a concept mapping tool. Click on the links above to see an example.

The Web 2.0 tools combine written text, sound, and video with a flexible, easy to use interface that allows the teacher to customize a presentation in a way never before possible. These materials enhance the palatability of traditional educational materials and peak student interest. I’ve put these tools to work in my classes in several ways: 1) built a website for my chemistry & physics classes using the Wix Flash Website Builder, 2) created a number of Vokis to introduce new topics and liven up my Wiki pages, 3) designed concept maps using Webspiration to simplify complex ideas, and 4) made some humorous cartoons using Domo Animations. The Web 2.0 tools have given me an exciting new method to deliver curriculum to my students.

KSD 4.K.3 The teacher knows how to enhance learning through the use of a wide variety of materials and technological resources (e.g. computers, audio-visual technologies, videotapes and discs, local experts, primary documents and artifacts, texts, reference books, literature, and other print resources). The Web 2.0 tools combine written text, sound, and video with a flexible, easy-to-use interface that allows the teacher to customize a presentation in a way never before possible. The 2.0 devises can be used alone or integrated into more traditional materials such as PowerPoint presentations or video. These materials enhance the palatability of traditional educational materials and peak student interest.

4.S.2 The teacher uses multiple teaching and learning strategies to engage students in active learning opportunities that promote the development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance capabilities and that help students assume responsibility for identifying and using learning resources. A simple 2.0 tool that I often use to introduce a lab or spruce up a presentation is a Voki. A Voki is a small avatar-like device that can speak for the user. You can customize the Voki to look like a variety of different animals or people. The user can give the Voki a voice with text-to-speech or simply by uploading your own audio file. I try to use a Voki whenever I can.

4.D.2 The teacher values flexibility and reciprocity in the teaching process as necessary for adapting instruction to student responses, ideas, and needs. Domo Animation is a Web 2.0 tool that allows the user to create animations and slide shows. Like the Voki, it is a great attention getter. I have used this on occasion to introduce a new unit or inject humor into a presentation. Each of the tools I’ve mentioned work equally well in the hands of students. It gives them a great way to express their ideas or liven up their own presentations.