Introduction to Mindmup, a free mind-mapping Google app and web tool for Judaic instruction and staff development

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 Mindmup, a free Google app and web tool that facilitates student collaboration via brainstorming in a Judaic Studies and secular 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 Mindmup 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 Mindmup?

Mindmup is a free Google app and web tool that can be used to facilitate student collaboration via brainstorming in a Judaic Studies and secular classroom.

Note: Mindmup can be used in a face to face and virtual classroom.

Where is  the Mindmup  app located on the internet?

• https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/mindmup-free-mind-map-web/dnenaecjcgeppfpaokiifokeieopppej?hl=en
•  https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/mindmup-desktop-free-mind/eealagocaipaflcjmeapmobpmilffopi?hl=en
• https://www.mindmup.com/#m:new

Where can I find tutorials demonstrating how to use Mindmup?

Click on the links below to find tutorials on using Mindmup:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIdvTMQM-aM
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR-OdE_QhLc
• http://www.visual-mapping.com/2013/07/mindmup.html
• http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/try-mindmup-mind-mapping-via-google-drive/
• http://www.mind-mapping.org/blog/2013/11/mindmup-browser-based-free-easy-and-open-source/
• http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2014/03/three-mind-mapping-tools-that-save-to.html#.VhfoxtYccmY

On the next post we will discuss how Mindmup, a free Google app and web tool that facilitates student collaboration through brainstorming, can be used to promote instruction in the blended learning classroom.

How Quick Rubric, a free rubric making web tool, can be used to promote Judaic instruction and to mentor/train Jewish educators

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 Quick Rubric, a free rubric making web tool, can be used to promote Judaic instruction and to mentor/train Jewish educators. Before we explore how to use Quick Rubric, let’s define what a rubric is and the rationale for using rubrics in instruction.

What is a rubric and what is its rationale?

A rubric is an assessment instrument matrix that a teacher and perhaps his/her students create to evaluate student performance for a given assignment. The vertical columns in the matrix provide the performance standards for the assignment.  The horizontal rows describe the criteria for each performance standard. See the sample rubric below:

Suggested Checklist of Exit Interactive Competencies (Performance Standards) for the

Madrich or Madricha

Howard, L.B, (2006). The Madrichim Manual: Six Steps to Becoming a Jewish Role Model. Springfield, NJ: Behrman House.

[Taken from Solomon, R and E (2009). Toolbox for Teachers and Madrichim: Moving Madrichim to Mentor Teachers and Beyond. Tucson, AZ: Wheatmark Publishers]

Performance Criteria

Developing: The madrich or madricha is beginning to implement the competency.

Basic: The madrich or madricha satisfactorily implements the competency.

Proficient: The madrich or madricha implements the competency with ease and fluidity, and makes smooth adjustments to different classroom situations.

Interactive Competencies or Performance Standards	Not Evident	Developing	Basic	Proficient
Greeting students as they enter the classroom
Helping students with their art projects
Assisting students with class work
Leading students in small group activities
Leading transitions between activities
Reading stories to the class
Tutoring students who need extra help
Mentoring students who have difficulty focusing during class
Temporarily taking charge of the class if the teacher is indisposed
Teaching a five minute mini-lesson to a small group of students or the entire class
Participating in and leading portions of a prayer service

What is the rationale for using a rubric? 

• Rubrics help teachers teach their subject matter.
• Rubics clarify for students what they are expected to learn and how they will be graded.
• Rubrics coordinate instruction with assessment.

For additional information on rubrics click on these two links:

• http://www.ucdenver.edu/faculty_staff/faculty/center-for-faculty-development/Documents/Tutorials/Rubrics/1_what_is/index.htm

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 Quick Rubric 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: Quick Rubric can be used in a face to face and virtual classroom.

Where is  Quick Rubric located on the internet?

• https://www.quickrubric.com/

What is Quick Rubric?

Quick Rubric is a free rubric making web tool.

How Quick Rubric a free rubric making web tool, can be used to promote Judaic instruction and to mentor/train Jewish educators

Click on the links below to see how Quick Rubric can be used to promote Judaic instruction and to train/mentor pre-service and in-service Jewish educators:

• https://youtu.be/wDs8FEkBHCc
• http://www.screencast.com/t/Vva6x0vOt1a
• https://www.quickrubric.com/r#/qr/rdsolomonphd/learning-to-teach--administrative-duties

Below see the example of a rubric created by using Quick Rubric for Judaic instruction and/or staff development:

On the next blog post we will begin our exploration of Mindmup, a free mind mapping Google web tool and app.

How Quick Rubric a free rubric making web tool, can be used to promote instruction in the blended learning classroom

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 Quick Rubric, a free rubric making web tool, can be used to promote instruction in the blended learning classroom. Before we explore how to use Quick Rubric, let’s define what a rubric is and the rationale for using rubrics in instruction.

What is a rubric and what is its rationale?

A rubric is an assessment instrument matrix that a teacher and perhaps his/her students create to evaluate student performance for a given assignment. The vertical columns in the matrix provide the performance standards for the assignment.  The horizontal rows describe the criteria for each performance standard. See the sample rubric below:

Suggested Checklist of Exit Interactive Competencies (Performance Standards) for the

Madrich or Madricha

Howard, L.B, (2006). The Madrichim Manual: Six Steps to Becoming a Jewish Role Model. Springfield, NJ: Behrman House.

[Taken from Solomon, R and E (2009). Toolbox for Teachers and Madrichim: Moving Madrichim to Mentor Teachers and Beyond. Tucson, AZ: Wheatmark Publishers]

Performance Criteria

Developing: The madrich or madricha is beginning to implement the competency.

Basic: The madrich or madricha satisfactorily implements the competency.

Proficient: The madrich or madricha implements the competency with ease and fluidity, and makes smooth adjustments to different classroom situations.

Interactive Competencies or Performance Standards	Not Evident	Developing	Basic	Proficient
Greeting students as they enter the classroom
Helping students with their art projects
Assisting students with class work
Leading students in small group activities
Leading transitions between activities
Reading stories to the class
Tutoring students who need extra help
Mentoring students who have difficulty focusing during class
Temporarily taking charge of the class if the teacher is indisposed
Teaching a five minute mini-lesson to a small group of students or the entire class
Participating in and leading portions of a prayer service

  

What is the rationale for using a rubric? 

• Rubrics help teachers teach their subject matter.
• Rubics clarify for students what they are expected to learn and how they will be graded.
• Rubrics coordinate instruction with assessment.

For additional information on rubrics click on these two links:

• http://www.ucdenver.edu/faculty_staff/faculty/center-for-faculty-development/Documents/Tutorials/Rubrics/1_what_is/index.htm

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 Quick Rubric 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: Quick Rubric can be used in a face to face and virtual classroom.

Where is  Quick Rubric located on the internet?

• https://www.quickrubric.com/

What is Quick Rubric?

Quick Rubric is a free rubric making web tool.

How Quick Rubric a free rubric making web tool, can be used to promote instruction in the blended learning classroom

Click on either of the links below to see how Quick Rubric can be used to promote instruction in the face to face and virtual classroom:

• https://youtu.be/wDs8FEkBHCc
• http://www.screencast.com/t/Vva6x0vOt1a

On the next blog post we will discuss how Quick Rubric, a free rubric making web tool, can be used to promote Judaic instruction and to mentor/train Jewish educators.