Richard D. Solomon's Blog on Mentoring Jewish Students and Teachers

Our hope is that this blog will become a forum in which people can exchange ideas on how to recruit, develop and retain exceptional Jewish educators through mentoring and e-mentoring students, teaching candidates, and teachers in our day and supplemental schools. The present focus of this blog is to empower Jewish teachers, administrators, teacher trainers, consultants, and staff developers to integrate web technology (i.e. web tools and apps) into their teaching and teacher training.

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Introduction to web tools and resources for teachers who work with students with special needs including students with specific learning disabilities or challenges

In this section of our blog we will focus on sharing specific web tools and resources designed to assist teachers who work with students with special needs including students with specific learning disabilities and challenges.

Note: In no case should this blog be construed as a major or primary resource on special education.

What is a student with special needs?

According to Wikopedia a student with special needs is one who has challenges with learning, communication challenges, emotional and behavioral disorders, physical disabilities, and developmental disorders.

What is a student who has specific learning disabilities or learning challenges?

According to Project Ideal a student with specific learning disabilities is one who has “an imperfect ability to listen, think, read, write, spell, and/or to perform mathematical calculations. The term includes such conditions as perceptual impairments, brain injury, minimal brain dysfunction, and developmental aphasia. The term does not include learning problems which are primarily the result of visual, hearing, or motor impairments; intellectual disabilities; emotional disturbance; or environmental, cultural, or economic disadvantage."

Note: This section of the blog will not focus on the special needs of talented and gifted students.

On the next post we will share a list of reading and writing web tools and resources to help teachers who instruct students with special needs including those with specific learning challenges.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Introduction to web tools to assist teachers and students by 4teachers.org

When mentoring our pre-service and in-service teachers we need to describe and model both research-based and clinically tested best practices, and demonstrate how these best practices can be applied in the real (i.e. physical) and virtual (i.e. online) classroom for both teaching and teacher training. The combination of face to face instruction in a physical setting and online learning is called blended learning. In this section of the blog we will describe how the internet can serve as a supplemental resource for instruction and the mentoring of pre-service and in-service Jewish educators. In this post we will share web tools and resources to assist students and teachers provided by 4teachers.org .

Assumption: The teacher or mentor teacher has a interactive white board (i.e. SMART Board, Promethean, etc.), a Tablet PC (also called a Slate or Blade), a computer presenter or computer with internet access attached to an LCD projector in the classroom. It would be ideal if students or mentees had access to their own laptop computers or Ipads. Given parental and school approval, and the development of specific guidelines, smartphones can be used to enhance instruction as well.

Note: Although the web tools for students and teachers provided by 4 teachers.org can be applied in the Judaic Studies blended learning classroom, it can be also be used for training pre-service and in-service Jewish educators for professional or staff development. It is our hope that Jewish educators around the globe will form an online community of practice, a CoP, a group of people who share an interest, a craft, and/or a profession, to enhance the delivery of instruction and training of Jewish educators. For example, here is a CoP you might want to join.

Note: The resources and web tools for students and teachers provided by 4 teachers.org can be used in both a physical and virtual Judaic Studies classroom.

What are the web tools and resources provided by 4teachers.org?

The web tools for students and teachers provided by 4 teachers.org is an online set of web research tools and for problem based learning including Problem-Based Jewish Learning.

What is the web address of 4 teachers.org ?

http://www.4teachers.org/tools/

What kind of research tools can 4teachers.org provide the student who is engaged in problem based learning?

Below you will find a list of research tools for students who are engaged in problem based learning. These resources and these descriptions are provided by 4teachers.org :

RubiStar Create customized rubrics in English and Spanish.
Arcademic Skill Builders Educational Games for students to polish math and language skills.
PersuadeStar Provides tools for students to write persuasive essays.
Classroom Architect Design a floor plan for your classroom.
Equity Locate resources and tools to help you meet the needs of a diverse classroom.
TrackStar View thousands of online lessons or quickly create your own.
Assign-A-Day: Post your own online calendar with hyperlinks and project.
PBL Checklists Make custom checklists for multiple projects.
Teacher Tacklebox Locate top-rated Tracks, WebQuests, and ThinkQuests for your subject.
Web Poster Wizard Make and post a simple Web page within minutes.
NoteStar Assist students with collecting group notes and citations for papers.
Think Tank Helps student set up topics for reports. Use alone or with NoteStar.
KidsVid Help teachers and students use video production in class support project-based learning.

On the next post we will share additional web tools to assist students with special needs.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Introduction to problem-based learning research tools for students provided by the Bellingham Washington Public Schools

When mentoring our pre-service and in-service teachers we need to describe and model both research-based and clinically tested best practices, and demonstrate how these best practices can be applied in the real (i.e. physical) and virtual (i.e. online) classroom for both teaching and teacher training. The combination of face to face instruction in a physical setting and online learning is called blended learning. In this section of the blog we will describe how the internet can serve as a supplemental resource for instruction and the mentoring of pre-service and in-service Jewish educators. In this post we will discuss how teachers and students in a Judaic Studies blended learning classroom can use the Bellingham Washington Public Schools as a resource for problem based learning including Problem Based Jewish Learning.

Note: Although Bellingham Washington Public Schools can be applied in the Judaic Studies blended learning classroom, it can be also be used for training pre-service and in-service Jewish educators for professional or staff development. It is our hope that Jewish educators around the globe will form an online community of practice, a CoP, a group of people who share an interest, a craft, and/or a profession, to enhance the delivery of instruction and training of Jewish educators. For example, here is a CoP you might want to join.

Note: The resources of Bellingham Washington Public Schools can be used in both a physical and virtual Judaic Studies classroom.

What is Bellingham Washington Public Schools?

Bellingham Washington Public Schools is an online set of web research tools and for problem based learning including Problem-Based Jewish Learning.

What is the web address of the Bellington Washington Public Schools?

http://bellinghamschools.org/department-owner/instructional-technology/general-research-resources-secondary-students

What kind of research tools can Bellingham Washington Public Schools provide the student who is engaged in problem based learning?

Below you will find a list of research tools for students who are engaged in problem based learning. These resources and these descriptions are provided by Bellingham Washington Public Schools:

On the next post we will share additional web tools to assist students and teachers.

Friday, May 25, 2012

Introduction to problem-based learning research tools for students provided by Worthington Libraries

When mentoring our pre-service and in-service teachers we need to describe and model both research-based and clinically tested best practices, and demonstrate how these best practices can be applied in the real (i.e. physical) and virtual (i.e. online) classroom for both teaching and teacher training. The combination of face to face instruction in a physical setting and online learning is called blended learning. In this section of the blog we will describe how the internet can serve as a supplemental resource for instruction and the mentoring of pre-service and in-service Jewish educators. In this post we will discuss how teachers and students in a Judaic Studies blended learning classroom can use Worthington Libraries as a resource for problem based learning including Problem Based Jewish Learning.

Note: Although Worthington Libraries can be applied in the Judaic Studies blended learning classroom, it can be also be used for training pre-service and in-service Jewish educators for professional or staff development. It is our hope that Jewish educators around the globe will form an online community of practice, a CoP, a group of people who share an interest, a craft, and/or a profession, to enhance the delivery of instruction and training of Jewish educators. For example, here is a CoP you might want to join.

Note: Worthington Libraries can be used in both a physical and virtual Judaic Studies classroom.

What is Worthington Libraries?

Worthington Libraries is an online set of web research tools and for problem based learning including Problem-Based Jewish Learning.

What is the web address of Worthington Libraries?

http://www.worthingtonlibraries.org/teens/homework/tools

What kind of research tools can Worthington Libraries provide the student who is engaged in problem based learning?

Below you will find a list of research tools for students who are engaged in problem based learning. These resources and these descriptions are provided by Worthington Libraries:

American Decades

Library card required for access
American Decades is a cross-disciplinary source for junior and high school students, teachers, public librarians and general researchers who need a single, consistent reference to document and analyze Read more...

American Revolution Reference Library

Library card required for access
Covers the events and people of the Revolutionary War period in easy-to-understand language. Read more...

Biography in Context

Library card required for access
Formerly known as Biography Resource Center, this database combines information from Gale's biographical reference books to provide over 415,000 biographies on nearly 325,000 contemporary and historic Read more...

Britannica Online for Kids

Library card required for access

Britannica Online for Kids provides the trusted name and information users come to expect from Encyclopedia Britannica, but in a kid-friendly format. In addition to simplified navigation and eye-catching graphics, the Kids edition of the encyclopedia also links to age-appropriate magazine articles, additional reference sources, and a handy set of tutorials for writing research papers and giving oral presentations. A Spanish edition, Britannica's Enciclopedia Juvenil, is also available.

CultureGrams World Edition

Library card required for access
CultureGrams electronic library provides cultural and historical information for more than 182 countries of the world. Read more...

eLibrary

Library card required for access
This full-text database of magazines, newspapers, photos, and more is designed specifically for K-12 schools. Read more...

KnowItNow 24x7

Start your live online reference session now! Librarians are available to help answer your questions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Read more...

LearningExpress Library

Library card required for access
Learning Express Library (Learn A Test) provides practice tests, review materials and scoring for many academic and occupational standardized tests, including ACT, SAT, Civil Service Exam, ASVAB, GED, Read more...

Literature Resource Center

Library card required for access
Designed to meet the research needs of undergraduate and high school students, the Literature Resource Center from Gale provides access to biographies, bibliographies, and critical analysis of authors Read more...

Mango Languages

Library card required for access
Self-directed language instruction in 35 languages is available through Mango Languages. Instruction focuses on everyday conversational skills. Users have the option of selecting the "start learning immediately" option or setting up an individual profile (handy for keeping track of lessons and time spent). Read more...

MAS Ultra - School Edition

Library card required for access
Provides full text for over 515 general interest and current events magazines from EBSCOhost. Read more...

Middle Search Plus

Library card required for access
Middle Search Plus from EBSCOhost provides full text for nearly 120 magazines covering general topics appropriate for middle and jr. high school students. Read more...

NoveList

Library card required for access
If you're looking for a good book to read, try this recommendation database. Read more...

NoveList K-8

Library card required for access
Discover popular books for young readers here! Browse hundreds of theme-oriented book lists for readers at all grade levels. Read more...

Opposing Viewpoints

Library card required for access
Opposing Viewpoints from Gale draws on the social issues series published by Greenhaven Press, along with other reference resources, to provide extensive information on social issues. Read more...

Readthebooks.com

Library card required for access
Here's a neat site for elementary and middle-school students to find a book for school or fun. Read more...

Science Online

Library card required for access
Science Online collects articles from the extensive collection of print sources from Facts on File and puts them into one easy to search database. Read more...

Student Research Center

Library card required for access
Student Research Center from EBSCOhost makes it easy for students to search by keyword or by topic to find the most useful search results. Read more...

TOPICsearch

Library card required for access
This current events database from EBSCOhost allows researchers to explore social, political & economic issues, scientific discoveries and other popular topics discussed in today's classrooms.

World Book Online

Library card required for access
The online version of World Book Encyclopedia offers more than 25,000 articles suited for grades 4-12 and adults. Read more...

On the next post we will share general research resources for secondary students produced by the Bellingham Public Schools, Bellingham, Washington.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Introduction to ARE Search Guide for Students, a web resource for problem based learning

When mentoring our pre-service and in-service teachers we need to describe and model both research-based and clinically tested best practices, and demonstrate how these best practices can be applied in the real (i.e. physical) and virtual (i.e. online) classroom for both teaching and teacher training. The combination of face to face instruction in a physical setting and online learning is called blended learning. In this section of the blog we will describe how the internet can serve as a supplemental resource for instruction and the mentoring of pre-service and in-service Jewish educators. In this post we will discuss how teachers and students in a Judaic Studies blended learning classroom can use ARE Search Guide for Students for problem based learning including Problem Based Jewish Learning.

Note: Although ARE Search Guide for Students can be applied in the Judaic Studies blended learning classroom, it can be also be used for training pre-service and in-service Jewish educators for professional or staff development. It is our hope that Jewish educators around the globe will form an online community of practice, a CoP, a group of people who share an interest, a craft, and/or a profession, to enhance the delivery of instruction and training of Jewish educators. For example, here is a CoP you might want to join.

Note: ARE Search Guide for Students can be used in both a physical and virtual Judaic Studies classroom.

What is ARE Search Guide for Students?

ARE Search Guide for Students is an online set of web research tools and for problem based learning including Problem-Based Jewish Learning.

Where is ARE Search Guide for Students located on the web?

http://www.aresearchguide.com/

What kind of problem based learning research tools can ARE Search Guide for Students provide the student who is engaged in problem based learning?

These are the ARE search guides for students doing problem based learning research.

1.	How to Write an A+ Research Paper
1a.	Research, Writing, and Style Guides
2.	Quick Click to Search Engines
3.	Presentation Tips for Public Speaking
4.	Format for a Research Paper
5.	Quoting Passages Using MLA Style
6.	Plagiarism: How to Avoid It
7.	Footnotes & Endnotes
8.	First Footnotes and Endnotes - Examples in MLA Style
8a.	Sample Footnotes
8b.	Sample Endnotes
9.	Parenthetical References - Examples in MLA Style
9a.	Sample Parenthetical References in MLA Style
10.	Works Cited, References, and Bibliography - What's the Difference?
11.	Guidelines on How to Write a Bibliography or a Works Cited Page in MLA Style
12.	Bibliography - Examples in MLA Style - Including Internet Citations
12a.	Sample Bibliography or Works Cited in MLA Style
12b.	Abbreviations of Books of the Bible
12c.	Common Abbreviations
12d.	Abbreviations of Months of the Year, Days of the Week, and Other Abbreviations of Time
13.	USA, Canada, Flags of USA, Canada & the World, Maps, and Cities of the Worlds
13a.	Internet Country Codes (A-Z by Countries): Abbreviations, Facts, Flags, Maps
13b.	Internet Country Codes (A-Z by Codes): Abbreviations, Facts, Flags, Maps
13c.	National Anthems
14.	How to Survive the Internet Unscathed
15.	A Virtual Library of Useful URLs Arranged by Dewey Decimal Classification
15a.	Virtual Library Subject Headings
16.	References

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

17.	Biomes and Ecozones
18.	Canadian Cities
19.	Global Connections
20.	Golden Horseshoe - Travel & Tourism
21.	Guidance Department: Secondary School Web-Based Resources
22.	Measuring Time
23.	Renewable Energy
24.	Understanding A View from the Bridge
25.	Understanding The Crucible
26.	Understanding The Grapes of Wrath
27.	Understanding The Great Gatsby
28.	Understanding Jude the Obscure
29.	Understanding Lord of the Flies
30.	Understanding Macbeth
31.	Understanding To Kill a Mockingbird
32.	Web Design for Beginners
33.	Webquests
34.	World Wide Web Links
35.	Add URL

On the next post we will share student research tools for problem based learning provided by Worthington Libraries.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Introduction to Tek Mom’s Search Tools for Students, a web resource for problem based learning

When mentoring our pre-service and in-service teachers we need to describe and model both research-based and clinically tested best practices, and demonstrate how these best practices can be applied in the real (i.e. physical) and virtual (i.e. online) classroom for both teaching and teacher training. The combination of face to face instruction in a physical setting and online learning is called blended learning. In this section of the blog we will describe how the internet can serve as a supplemental resource for instruction and the mentoring of pre-service and in-service Jewish educators. In this post we will discuss how teachers and students in a Judaic Studies blended learning classroom can use Tek Mom’s Search Tools for Students problem based learning including Problem Based Jewish Learning .

Note: Although Tek Mom’s Search Tools for Students can be applied in the Judaic Studies blended learning classroom, it can be also be used for training pre-service and in-service Jewish educators for professional or staff development. It is our hope that Jewish educators around the globe will form an online community of practice, a CoP, a group of people who share an interest, a craft, and/or a profession, to enhance the delivery of instruction and training of Jewish educators. For example, here is a CoP you might want to join.

Note: Tek Mom’s Search Tools for Students can be used in both a physical and virtual Judaic Studies classroom.

What is Tek Mom’s Search Tools for Students?

Tek Mom’s Search Tools for Students is an online set of web research tools and for problem based learning including Problem-Based Jewish Learning.

Where is Tek Mom’s Search Tools for Students located on the web?

http://www.tekmom.com/search/

What kind of problem based learning research tools can Tek Mom’s Search Tools for Students provide the student who is engaged in problem based learning?

See the list of research tools provided by Tek Mom below:

Search Engines Just for Kids
AOL@SCHOOL	Top of Form Bottom of Form	Top-notch collection of educational sites. Identified by grade level. Enter keyword(s).
KidsClick!	Top of Form Bottom of Form	Kids' sites from the Ramapo Catskill Libraries. Identified by reading level. Enter keywords(s).
Yahoo! Kids	Top of Form Bottom of Form	For students age 7-12. Formerly Yahooligans. Enter keyword(s).
Ask for Kids	Top of Form Bottom of Form	A natural-language search engine. Enter a question or keyword(s).

General Search Engines
Education World	Top of Form Bottom of Form	500,000+ sites chosen for students and educators. Enter keyword(s).

Science Search Engines
The "Why Files"	Top of Form Bottom of Form	Search 100's of articles about "the science behind the news" from the Univ. of Wisc.-Madison Enter keyword(s).
SeaWorld Animal Info. Database	Top of Form Bottom of Form	Text and pictures. Enter keyword(s).

History Search Engines
American Memory	Top of Form Bottom of Form	American History Collection, Library of Congress. Enter keyword(s) or phrase.
Yahooligans! History	Top of Form Bottom of Form	For students ages 7-12. Enter keyword(s).
The History Channel	Top of Form Bottom of Form	The online version of A&E's History Channel. Enter keyword(s) or phrase.

Image Search Engines
Pics4Learning	Top of Form Bottom of Form	Copyright-friendly images for education. Enter keyword (or phrase in quotes).
American Memory	Top of Form Bottom of Form	American History Collection, Library of Congress. Enter keyword(s) or phrase.

Encyclopedias
Britannica Concise	Top of Form Bottom of Form	Click on a title to see the entire article. Enter keyword, phrase or question.
Encyclopedia.com	Top of Form Bottom of Form	The Columbia Encyclopedia. Enter keyword(s) or phrase.

Dictionaries and Thesauruses
Merriam-Webster Dictionary	Top of Form (Press Return/Enter) Bottom of Form	The trusted source. Enter a word.
RhymeZone	Top of Form Bottom of Form	Formerly the Semantic Rhyming Dictionary. Enter a word. Click the popup box to select an option.

Biographies, Authors
Biography.com	Top of Form Bottom of Form	Over 25,000 biographies; many with picture. Enter full name or last name.
Yahooligans Authors	Top of Form Bottom of Form	Over 300 authors. Enter full name, first name or last name.
Children's Literature Web Guide	Browse Authors and Illustrators	Directory. Browse to locate author.

Maps
Geography: Merriam-Webster's Atlas	Easy-to-use atlas of countries and states. Click a pop-up box and select a map.
National Geographic Xpedition Atlas	Includes black & white maps made especially for printing (use landscape mode). Click on the map or click the pop-up box to select a map.
Atlapedia	Physical and political regional maps of the world.
National Geographic Map Machine	Super maps, but complicated to use. To find a specific place, type it into the "Find a Place" box.

On the next post we will share student research tools for problem based learning provided by the ARE Search Guide.

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