A chart giving examples of how the three web-based thinking constructs, Lyman’s Think-Trix, Wiederhold’s Q-Matrix and Solomon’s Six Types of Information/Question, can be applied in Judaic instruction and teacher training

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 a chart giving examples of how the three web-based thinking constructs, Lyman’s Think-Trix, Wiederhold’s Q-Matrix and Solomon’s Six Types of Information/Question, can be applied in Judaic instruction and teacher training.

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 three web-based cognitive constructs 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. 

In previous blog posts we have defined thinking skills and processes, creative thinking, critical thinking and Benjamin Blooms taxonomy of educational objectives. We have also shared creative and critical thinking tools developed by Dr. Donald J. Treffinger. 

Below you will find a chart giving examples of how the three web-based thinking constructs, Lyman’s Think-Trix, Wiederhold’s Q-Matrix and Solomon’s Six Types of Information/Question, can be applied in Judaic instruction and teacher training

To copy the chart, right-click on the above image.

On the next post we will discuss  another web-based tool or resource that promotes skillful, creative and critical thinking, Visual Ranking.