Mindtools/Interactive Project

Tools Needed for This Project

• Mindtools Rubric*

• Evaluation Summary*

• Tool Chart

These two items will be slow to download if you are using a telephone connection.  If you see password dialog boxes, just click cancel...and wait for the Excel documents to come up.

The Mindtools/Interactive Project requires you to evaluate computer-based learning environments to determine whether they are mindtools and then to construct an interactive computer-based learning environments using new software, new features of software, or templates (such as WebQuest templates).  By the end of this module, you will be expected to have

1. constructed an understanding of mindtools in a computer-based environment because you have re-read Jonassen's article Computers as Mindtools for Engaging Learners in Critical Thinking and reflected on notes from Chapter One of Jonassen's book Computers in the classroom: Mindtools for critical thinking (Click here to go to notes). 

2. examined and used a rubric for evaluating both required and self-selected computer-based learning environments as mindtools

3. written narrative reviews of selected interactive computer-based learning environments

4. selected an appropriate tool (software or template such as WebQuest template) for constructing an interactive computer-based mindtool -- again I strongly recommend constructing a WebQuest

5. constructed an interactive computer-based learning environment that is conceptually related to your website goals

6. evaluated your own interactive computer-based learning environment

The Interactive Project is divided into three parts.  Each part is explained below.

Part I:  It is essential that you understand computers as “mindtools,” a concept developed and expanded by David Jonassen before getting too far into Module 8.  Thus, it is important that you have read and reflected on the REQUIRED technology reading, Computers as Mindtools for Engaging Learners in Critical Thinking by Jonassen that was one of the readings in Part 2 of the Technology Forum.   If you cannot remember the reading in detail, it would be wise to re-read the article and then to study the notes from Chapter One of Jonassen's book Computers in the classroom: Mindtools for critical thinking (Click here to go to notes).  Once you have an understanding of concepts such as mindtools, knowledge construction, constructivism, concept mapping, modeling, ill-structured problems, complex problems, formalism, etc., then you will be able to effectively use the Mindtools Rubric for evaluating applications.

Click on the Mindtools Rubric.  Carefully examine the sample tools that have already been evaluated for you.  Then, using the Mindtools Rubric and your experience with the sample tools, to examine and evaluate the two required tools/lessons.  As in the samples, insert the appropriate point values in the appropriate cells.  Do this for each of the listed computer applications.  When you are finished filling out the Mindtools Rubric for the suggested sites, you will need to use your well-developed Internet searching skills to search for and select two interactive tools that support the "construction of meaning" in conjunction with your webfolio project/goals. If you prefer, you may select tools directly from the provided Tool Chart.  Remember your audience when selecting a tool!!  If you have designed your project for young students, be sure the tool is appropriate for them.  Once you have identifed two applications you wish to evaluate as mindtools, insert the site names into the appropriate cells of the Mindtools Rubric. Create links from those cells to the websites where the tools can be located. Then, evaluate those two tools as you did the required tools.  When you have completed all evaluations and inserted scores into all required cells, you should see a total score generated at the bottom of the Excel sheet.    

When you have completed the assignment of point values into the rubric, create an "Interactive_Project" folder in your webfolio and save the Mindtools Rubric to that folder. 

• If you would like more information about mindtools, visit David Jonassen's site at  http://tiger.coe.missouri.edu/~jonassen/

Part II:  Once you have filled out and saved the Mindtools Rubric, click on the Evaluation_Summaries spreadsheet.  Carefully copy the names of the selected sites and all total scores that appear at the bottom of the Mindtools Rubric and input that information into the appropriate cells on the Evaluation Summaries.  Next, carefully examine the sample narrative reviews provided in the chart.   When ready, compose a narrative review for each tool/application listed on the Evaluation Summaries. 

When you have completed writing all narrative reviews, save the Evaluation Summaries spreadsheet into the "Interactive_Project" folder in your webfolio.

IMPORTANT:  BE SURE THAT YOU HAVE SAVED BOTH THE MINDTOOLS RUBRIC AND THE EVALUATION SUMMARIES.  PUT THEM ON THE DESKTOP OF YOUR COMPUTER OR IN A SPECIALLY NAMED FOLDER; HOWEVER, MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE FINISHED ALL WORK ON THESE TWO EXCEL SHEETS BEFORE IMPORTING THEM INTO YOUR WEBFOLIO.  THIS TINY HINT WILL SAVE YOU MUCH FRUSTRATION WITH REGARD TO THE LINKS WITHIN THESE TWO SHEETS.

Part III:   Now it is time for you to do some innovative work using technology.  Using the Tool Chart, examine several of the tools for their usefulness and appropriateness within the context of your own website and the goals that you have constructed for your target audience.  After trying out several tools, select a tool (or tools) to actually use in constructing an interactive environment that engages your audience in critical thinking.  Once you have decided on a tool, create a learning experience that engages users (students) in critical thinking.   When you are finished, save your own creation  (or its link) and insert the name of your interactive_project and a link to it into the appropriate cells on both the Mindtools Rubric and the Evaluation Summaries. When you have added the information, use the Mindtools Rubric to assign values and write a narrative review for the tool that you have constructed.

PLEASE FOLLOW THE BELOW LISTED CRITERIA FOR SELECTING A TOOL (OR TOOLS) AND CONSTRUCTING AN INTERACTIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE.

"Dream…..dream, dream, dream, ….dream…dream, dream, dream….. dream…dream, dream, dream …..Dream a little dream with me!!"

What are the criteria for the personally-constructed interactive learning environment?  

It will be a special creation, constructed out of your "imagination." However, your "dream" must meet the following criteria:

1. It must demonstrate mastery of one of the following tools...or software/tool approved by B. Khirallah:

2. It must meet the requirements of a mindtool (see rubric).  In addition, be sure that it is interactive and thus allows

3. It must allow the user to "construct meaning" - in other words, it must support a constructivist rather than an instructivist educational perspective.  

5. It must grow out of goals for the total web project.

6. It must be a stand-alone, web-based interactive learning environment that engages a target audience in critical thinking

   All user directions/information must be included in the product
   Must be user friendly for the intended target audience.  Thus, if the project is intended for 4th graders,     be sure that fourth graders can use it by themselves.