INVESTIGATING RELATED SUBJECTS

MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES    ONLINE COLLABORATION    PROBLEM-BASED LEARNING    TEACHING STRATEGIES  TECHNOLOGY KNOW-HOW    WEB QUESTS

MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES: HOWARD GARDNER'S THEORY

In his Theory of Multiple Intelligences  Howard Gardner proposed that humans possess varied kinds of mental strengths or intelligence. In addition to mathematical and linguistic ability, his concept of intelligence includes such areas as music, spatial relations, and interpersonal knowledge. Unfortunately the educational system often encourages the linguistic and the mathematical/logical kinds of intelligence while it tends to neglect other forms of intelligence.  Rogers Indicator of Multiple Intelligences is a useful online quiz to determine your own dominant intelligences.

In an article titled Maximizing Multiple Intelligence Through Multimedia, Graham P. Martin suggests that multimedia provides teachers with additional opportunities to incorporate multiple intelligences in classroom activities.

   ONLINE COLLABORATION

Some teachers may be interested in becoming involved in international collaborative activities. The Teacher's Guide to International Collaboration on the Internet contains online tools and resources organized by subject areas that will help teachers get started with or expand ongoing international education via the Internet. The page links to elementary, middle and high school projects, as well as to organizations involved in international education via the Internet.

PROBLEM-BASED LEARNING

Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is an instructional method that challenges students to "learn to learn," working cooperatively in groups to seek solutions to real world problems. These problems are used to engage students' curiosity and initiate learning the subject matter. As with multiple intelligences, problem-based learning is consonant with both acquiring media literacy skills and the incorporation of technology standards in learning.

TEACHING STRATEGIES

In Working the Web for Education  Tom March discusses student use of technology and integrating the Internet for learning. Teachers will find the section titled Six Strategies for Using the Web for Learning  particularly helpful.

TECHNOLOGY KNOW-HOW

Microsoft has created numerous free online tutorials that can be used to train teachers and/or students on the use of Microsoft Office software. This is part of the Microsoft Teacher Network(MTN), which provides a free online professional development community for educators.

WEB QUESTS

This popular approach for integrating the Internet in classroom learning was first developed by professor Bernie Dodge, San Diego State University. The WebQuest format prompts an inquiry-based approach to advance a richer learning experience by asking teachers and students to use more advanced thinking skills to address an open-ended essential question and critique resources that present conflicting viewpoints on the question being addressed. For those new to WebQuests, the best place to begin is Bernie Dodge's WebQuest Page.  Two articles written by Tom March should also help give newcomers a feel for the nature of the format. WebQuests for Learning, as well as  WebQuests 101. Tips on Choosing and Assessing WebQuests.