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 Word Map HD, a word cloud IOS (Apple) app, can be used
to promote instruction in the blended learning classroom.
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 Word Map HD
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: Word Map HD can be
used in a face to face and virtual classroom.
What is Word Map HD?
Word Map HD is a word cloud IOS (Apple) app.
What is a word cloud?
A word cloud or word collage is
an artful display of words that are contained in a narrative. The words most
often used occupy the largest amount of area or space
For a more elaborate explanation
of a word cloud click here .
How can word clouds enhance
instruction?
According to http://21centuryedtech.wordpress.com/2012/05/21/108-ways-to-use-word-clouds-in-the-classroom-word-clouds-in-education-series-part-2/ word clouds can be used to enhance instruction in the following
ways:
- to brain storm a topic or create a discussion either inside the class or online
- to teach vocabulary
- to promote reading comprehension
- to highlight important ideas from a discussion or a video content
- to motivate students about a new topic to be learned
- to enable students to demonstrate their understanding of a concept or complex idea
- to share student expectations about a topic or classroom behavior
- to build classroom community by placing the names of all the students in a class with a word cloud
Where is Word Map HD located on the
internet?
How the word cloud IOS
(Apple) app, Word Map HD, can be used to promote instruction in the
blended learning classroom
Click on either of the links below to
find examples of how Word Map HD, an IOS (Apple) word cloud app, can be used to
promote instruction in the face to face and virtual classroom
On the next
blogpost we will discuss how Word Map HD, and IOS (Apple) word cloud app, can
be used to promote Judaic instruction and to mentor/train Jewish educators.
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