Introduction to My Simple Surface , an internet application for doing collaborative work on a web-based whiteboard

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 My Simple Surface can be used to facilitate communication and collaboration as an online whiteboard in a blended learning classroom.

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 My Simple Surface can be applied in the Judaic Studies blended learning classroom, they 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: My Simple Surface can be used in a face to face and virtual classroom.

What is My Simple Surface?

My Simple Surface is an online whiteboard that facilitates classroom communication and collaboration.

Where is  My Simple Surface located on the internet?

• http://www.mysimplesurface.com/
• http://www.mysimplesurface.com/design  

Click here and find a tutorial on how to use My Simple Surface as an online whiteboard for student collaboration.

On the next post we will discuss how My Simple Surface can be used to facilitate communication and collaboration in the  blended learning classroom.