Fun Critical Thinking Assignments
What are two fun critical thinking assignments that you learned about in this module?
Hello Amos,
I agree with you that technician student will have the experience of real life situations and examples. I have used the stimulation and have students' put together medical records in the correct order, as well color coding.
Marie Osuna
Online Faculty
Hello Renee,
I had the opportunity to use Second Life in my online classroom. I love the real world stimulations. The students can play games and also learn by engaging in the system. Example: student can demonstrates an emergency life threatening situation where the student uses their computer mouse to solve the problem. I highly recommend this Real Life 3D Virtual world in any online classroom.
Marie Osuna
Online Faculty
I think that one of the critical questions we can ask is how to use technologies such as Second Life, in the classroom. What are it's advantages and disadvantages?
How have any of you used SL in your classes? It can be used in several different areas: communications, education, English. Second life is especially popular for practicing language skills. Text and audio forms of language can be integrated in meaningful ways to support learning. A virtual scenario might also prepare hair stylists to practice the steps of the coloring process. Practice can not only build confidence, but emphasize important techniques.
Paula, and what is also interesting about SL is that it is not just for kids or college students. All can play! It's a space where you can be whoever you'd like, build and sell whatever you can imagine, and have fun with others from all over the globe while you explore unique virtual environments, listen to live music performances, play games, shop in the world's largest user-generated virtual goods economy, and much more! It's pretty cool! :-)
Well, because I completed the MEd in Instructional Technology in 2013, I was already familiar with Second Life and PBL. I am not saying that I did not learn anything about critical thinking! Not at all. I learned quit a bit, actually. For example, I learned how jigsaw puzzles and other multimedia can be used to foster critical thinking. As many puzzles as I did as a kid, I guess I never thought that I was learning to critical think. I did so many, that I would duck tape them on the back to hold the pieces together, and my Mom would hang them on the wall. There is still one or two of them hanging on the wall at home now! :-)
Becki,
Let us know how they work for you. Students really do enjoy some type of fantasy like (i.e Second Life) gaming in classes.
Renee Shaffer
I was intriqued by the Problem based learning style and the Second life style. I would like to utilize both of these in my courses.
Second life sounds like an interesting tool the I will try and use in the future
learning from peers via online discussion forums, blogwork where teams co-create products/projects
Janis,
Oh, I like any of these dealing with casinos and gambling. Good uses.
Renee Shaffer
Jocelyn,
I personally love the "Be the Expert". So many students think that they know so much already (you have probably met some of them) so it is good to place them "on the spot" and show us what they actually know. It allows them to understand how much they really know about the subject.
Renee Shaffer
As a math teacher, it is usually difficult to apply much of the content of these courses to math classes. At least it is for me.
However, I do teach probability. Debate and Discussion is a definite possibility. We look at how the casino will always win over the long haul.
Therefore, a strategy for gambling is to play once or twice and then leave because your chances of winning are larger in the beginning. Students could debate this and discuss if this is a good gambling strategy. (Keep in mind: I do teach adults).
Be the Expert will also work. (I do use that on occasion). I have the students prepare PowerPoint or charts to explain the concepts to someone who joined the class late and has to catch up.
HI -
I definitely think using "Be the Expert" is a good tool when it can be used. Students are then driving their own learning process and having to present what they learn. This is somewhat does in research if the assignments ask for interviews.
Another useful tool is simulations. I have used these in my courses and it does help to get students to consider how their decisions in one area impact another.
Jocelyn Williamson
I think debating is a great critical thinking assignment. Most people enjoy trying to convince someone to think the way want them to think. Debating also causes you to have to a certain amount of knowledge in order to defend your position. This is key to learning, retaining and applying information that has been taught and learned.
Blogs are also a good critical thinking tool. I think it can also be similar to debating, but it definitely allows student to voice their thoughts and opinions about information they have learned.
Hello,
Two fun critical thinking assignments that I have learned about in this module includes:
Allow students to use vast real time technology resources available to motivate a playful fashion to quickly find resources to present to the class in real time an example that comes to mind for me is reviewing and sharing the price of stocks and determine why stock increased or decreased that day
This can also be in real time
I also like the role-playing portion, this will allow instructors to actually see and understand the personality of students
I had never heard of Second Life, and I am anxious to take a look at its possibilities in teaching literature.
Sharon,
I am having a hard time stopping my f2f students from using their smartphones in class anyway, so it would be good to allow them to quickly find things online from the academic standpoint.
Renee Shaffer
I like the idea of allowing students to use real-time technology resources to quickly find resources to present to the class in real time. This enhances their skills in business to locate resources quickly and better support their positions when discussing strategical issues within an organization. I also liked the idea of using Adobe Connect, providing a context such as a link or photo from an Internet site land then posing a question about the demographics of those seen in the photo. I am not quite sure how to transition this to accounting, but in teaching management and supervisor/subordinate interactions it could be invaluable.
I like the idea of using second life scenarios. I think this is a good way to help students put themselves in the shoes of those they work with as well as those they work for and colleagues.
