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 WeKWL, a free app that facilitates student
engagement and collaboration, can be used to improve Judaic instruction and to
mentor/train Jewish educators.
Note:
Google Play offers a free WeKWL app as well. It’s url is as follows:
Assumption: The teacher or mentor teacher has an 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 WeKWL 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.
What is WeKWL?
WeKWL
is a free app that facilitates student engagement and collaboration via
brainstorming in a Judaic in the Judaic Studies and secular classroom.
Note: WeKWL
can be used in a face to face and virtual classroom.
Where is the WeKWL app located on the internet?
- https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/WeKWL/id382252825?mt=8 and
- https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=edu.umich.imlc.wekwl
How WeKWL, a free app that
facilitates student engagement and collaboration, can be used to promote Judaic
instruction and to mentor/train Jewish educators
Click
here to find a video explaining how WeKWL can be used to
promote Judaic instruction and to train/mentor pre-service and in-service
Jewish educators.
On the next post we will begin our discussion of a free IOS
(Apple) app, WeMap, that empowers students to engage in collaborative
brainstorming via mind mapping.
