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 begin our
discussion of WeMap, a free IOS (Apple) app that empowers students to engage in
collaborative brainstorming via mind mapping.
What is mind mapping?
Mind
mapping is a method of recording, drawing and linking one’s thoughts. For more
information on mind mapping click on this link: http://www.mindmapping.com/
Below
you will find an example of a mind map on the topic of Judaism:
The above image was taken from this url: https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRLg9ftCS6vOElxV-XkGnmJ6WyJn2LaFraZ1tygwpDosvEFWBzfHw
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 WeMap 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 WeMap?
WeMap
is a free IOS (Apple) app that enables students to engage in collaborative
brainstorming via mind mapping.
Note: WeMap
can be used in a face to face and virtual classroom.
Where is the free IOS (Apple) app, WeMap, located on the internet?
Where can I find a tutorial demonstrating how to use WeMap?
Click
here for a tutorial on how to use the free IOS (Apple) mind mapping app, WeMap.
On the next post we will discuss how WeMap, a free IOS (Apple) app
that enables students to engage in collaboarative brainstorming via mind
mapping, can be used to promote instruction in the blended learning classroom.
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