#INeLearn Archive
The #INeLearn hashtag is used for both asynchronous sharing and synchronous conversations. Include #INeLearn in your tweets if you want to share resources or questions with Indiana educators and school leaders. Asynchronously, the #INeLearn hashtag provides educators across the state of Indiana a central space for sharing. On Thursday evenings beginning at 8 CST/9 EST when you use the #INeLearn hashtag, you are joining a live conversation--the #INeLearn Twitter Chat. For one hour, we interact in real time having a virtual discussion.
Thursday March 3, 2016
Welcome to tonight’s chat! I’m Keshia Seitz, Assoc. Dir. of eLearning for Five-Star Technology Solutions.
And I am and Pam O’Risky, eLearning Coach for
Tonight’s topic: Digging Deeper - Getting Your Kids to think Critically...and how tech can help!
I'm Kevin from Indy. Pike High School Integrated Chem/Phys teacher. Love being here
Let’s start with intros! Shout out who you are & where you’re from! Lurkers let us know you are there.
We LOVE that you're joining us tonight!!! Welcome!
Stacy O'Brien-Instructional Coach from Decatur Middle School in Indy
Rosie Brandt from Angola, kindergarten teacher
OH! I can't wait to hear your news! :-)
Hello, Michelle with the team checking in. Ready for a great convo.
You are an expert multi-tasker! Glad you could join us tonight!
Welcome to another fellow coach!
eLearning Specialist at MSD Wayne. Currently planning the HECC conference with the board at Crowne Plaza. https://t.co/0L30yhufi1
Hi, Michelle! I thought of you SEVERAL times this week! I was talking abt S digital leadership w/ a few of my schools!
I am Cyndy from and enjoy working with educators!
Sean from Paoli - 4th grade Teacher
I am Brian Belch, English and History Teacher at Decatur Township School for Excellence
Robbie! Great to have you join us!
Hi, Stacy! I'm looking forward to hearing your ideas and thoughts on our topic tonight!
Bo. Social Studies Teacher from Wapahani High School
Q1:What is critical thinking and why should we nurture it in our Ss?
Hi Michelle! It's been a while since I have joined an chat!
it's a who's who photo! Shout out to . Any hints on the HECC toy for 2016?
Hey, I recognize a few of those faces! Good looking group! Glad you could jump into the chat tonight!
Hi, Rosie! Welcome to tonight's chat!
Great to see you, . So glad you could make the time to join us tonight!
Let the students take information we teach it and apply it to their daily lives. Apply it to more than just regurgitating facts
I just shared NBCLearn w/ a school last week...they didn't know that NBCLearn was still available through IDOE!
Sorry to be late - took longer than anticipated to get the kids to bed. Looking forward to trying to keep up w/ & .
R1: CT is a life skill! Our students need all the life skills we can nurture!
Glad to have a fellow SS teacher in here tonight! Welcome!
R1: Critical thinking is thorough analysis of an issue or situation. Ss need to be able to problem solve.
Q1: allows students to answer and ask deeper questions
R1: Let the students take information we teach it and apply it to their daily lives. Apply it to more than regurgitating facts
R1 critical thinking is analyzing for deeper understanding. Trying to find connections to self
R1: Critical thinking is having the ability to not just recall information but be able to examine it, challenge it, and use it.
Better late than never! We're just getting started! :-)
John Wells, HS English & Journalism at Reitz in Evansville, hoping to do more than lurk tonight!
Tuning in for a little tonight.
Welcome! We're just getting started...we're on Q1!
I love this! And, I think the problem has to be authentic and as real-world as possible!
R1: Critical Thinking is not accepting the norm and questioning all things for learning's sake.
R1: CT is the ability to think on own, draw own conclusions, understand why they have positions they have
I agree! And explain WHY and HOW they arrived at that answer. The process is important.
I like how you added that it allows students to ask deeper questions. Without Qs...is it critical thinking?
R1 we should nurture critical thinking b/c it is a life skill & now getting & knowing basic info is a quick search away
Absolutely! The connection-making piece of critical thinking is....well, critical!
R1: Critical thinking has to apply knowledge to multiple disciplines as well
R1 critical thinking involves anticipating and understanding outcomes. Not just knowing the facts.
Q 2: How can we model critical thinking for our Ss?
I love the "use it" part. The questions that we ask and the problems we want solved need to be applicable to S's lives.
R1 We need to nurture critical thinking because life is not T/F; multiple choice
R2: I try to apply my discipline to all areas. I have the students integrate the knowledge to math, English, and history
R1: CT is a process to help foster deeper understanding!
R2: Model critical thinking by sharing our metacognition and asking questions to scaffold thinking.
R2 I am constantly saying: Why? How? Prove It!
R2 As a teacher I would "model" how I analyzed information; then we worked on it as a class then I would ask the questions of them
R2: Model critical thinking by allowing curiosity to change direction in class. When Qs come, explore. Ask Ss to explore.
Can't tell you how many times I've said that to students. https://t.co/LneW6Lj4Ft
R1 We need to nurture critical thinking because life is not T/F; multiple choice
R2: so when I work with my subject, they hear me talk about those multiple disciplines so they understand they must also
Ss need to see our thinking. Talk about what and how we think! Great answer, Stacy! https://t.co/IZKxAZ1ll8
R2: Model critical thinking by sharing our metacognition and asking questions to scaffold thinking.
R2 offering many offerings for Ss to think critically on their own. I.e. Open response Qs, discussions and PBLs
R2 No matter the grade/content area, you can Think Aloud with students during your time together; engage them in the process even
R2) Always encouraged Ss to challenge what we were learning. If couldn't answer "so what?" and "who cares?" why were we doing it?
R2: Start by not asking Q's that are Google-able. If we didn't put thought into Qs we ask,why should S's put thought into answers?
R2. Think out loud. Model the thinking, model the process.
R2 Admit FAIL, share stories, do think-alouds...
Q3: How can we help Ss make their thinking visible?
R2) I teach online and asynchronously now. Use screencasts to model how to analyze a doc by asking ?s, annotating, etc.
R2 - Modeling, modeling, modeling. Open ended questions. Asking WHY or HOW they know repeatedly. Letting them bring in Q's too.
When there is natural curiosity by your Ss getting them to think critically is easier https://t.co/zbKcfmpwyS
R2: Model critical thinking by allowing curiosity to change direction in class. When Qs come, explore. Ask Ss to explore.
R2: model CT by allowing time to explore, process, talk and asking higher level questions
R2 I would always tell Ss I want to know their thoughts, not what they think I want to hear then be able to defend their thoughts.
R3: Mind maps and story boards work well. Not real popular with Ss, but gives us an idea of thinking.
R2 Don't simply rely on for the answer. Question and inquire w various resources to model the process of Critical Thinking
R3 - Sketchnotes, annotating, discussions, Educreations or similar app, reflections/rationales, etc.
R3) Opportunities for reflection - how do you know this, why is this important, how does this relate to "real life?"
R3: We can help Ss make thinking visible through verbal and written explanations and justifications.
R3: Mind maps, Sketch notes, audio recordings with visuals (screencast a single Google Slide or image with reflection,
R3: Make thinking visible by making it physical. Don't use technology for a change and use post it notes to change things up :-O
I like the screencast idea! I haven't thought of that one! https://t.co/WJRJx71Zt8
R3: Mind maps, Sketch notes, audio recordings with visuals (screencast a single Google Slide or image with reflection,
R3. We have some new podcast equipment at our school. Plan on having Ss record and share out.
I was just going to say to use Post-its, organize, and take a picture. :)
I appreciate the visuals. Although I hate brainstorming, my ideas are better when I can see what is in my head.
R3: I love allowing my students to have PBA using projects in class or creating multimedia projects with technology.
Agreed, . I'm so glad you included verbal!
I wouldn't want it to be long. It wouldn't be so much about presentation, but reflection.
Get ready for question 4...
R3 Online Discussions, Shared Google Docs, and giving open-response bell ringers
Q4: What are some specific ways to teach critical thinking to Elementary Ss? Secondary Ss?
A3: draw it out or have them explain it using recording app
R3: Inspiration software (or any mind mapping software for that matter) is great for visual learning. Heck, Google Drawing too.
r3 partner them for dialogue (written or oral) one explains, other questions, paraphrases, clarifies
R4) Simulations, analyzing primary source documents, and discussions provided great opportunities for HS Ss to dev & practice CT.
R3 I like having Ss doing "brain dump" put everything we know about topic on a poster Do a before and after to see the change
Q4: With El Ss, spent time teaching questioning as a reading strategy. We discuss quality Qs that lead to more Qs and discussion.
So important. Spend a lot of time on that w/ HS Ss. They are more used to focusing on answers.
R4: it goes back to modeling. How are we using information from multiple sources. What is good and bad info. Apply 2 real world
R4 challenge Ss to apply learning in a new way or to solve an actual problem
R4 Have Ss think outside the box. Instead of reg vocab have Ss define in emojis and explain why they chose those emojis.
R4: Teach Ss to cite evidence in their explanations and include why they referenced that evidence; why it is important evidence
I love using captioned images as well.
R4 For 11th US History, I would start Ss analyzing primary source images, build up to political cartoons, documents
What a great idea!! Isn't it amazing what we learn from our PLN! https://t.co/oPYuOtbM9o
R4 Have Ss think outside the box. Instead of reg vocab have Ss define in emojis and explain why they chose those emojis.
Great conversations being had tonight. I am learning a lot from fellow colleagues!
R4 Engage students in collaboration. It doesn't have to be solitary learning Here's a sample lesson https://t.co/7bF8HXUHtR
R4 Have Ss explain a topic/idea with a meme, song or tv show.
Political cartoon analysis is so challenging for many Ss but so important. So much CT going on.
YAY! Glad you could join the party tonight, Lucas! P.S. I MISS your smiling face!
YAY! Glad you could join the party tonight, Lucas! P.S. I MISS your smiling face!
R4: When we have students applying the knowledge across multiple avenues, we have huge growth. ISTEP doesn't evaluate this
My students loved analyzing and creating political cartoons!
Q4 - Debates, research mult sides of issue, sentence stems, teaching to annotate, help to formulate open ended research Qs
R4: Define a PLN and model how one can be used for critical thinking. Ss can then create their own PLN in the classroom.
Who is ready for our next Q? ...Coming right up!
It truly is, but I started at the beginning of the year, did a lot of scaffolding! They became pros!
Q5: What skills do our Ss to think critically? How can we teach these skills?
Robbie, that's brilliant! What a great way to build a positive learning environment! https://t.co/tRDaxW55JE
R4: Define a PLN and model how one can be used for critical thinking. Ss can then create their own PLN in the classroom.
R5: Teach Critical Thinking...Think outside the box. Question the norm. Don't be satisfied with the "answer".
A4: El Ss benefit from talking with peers and asking each other questions allows then to become inquisitive especially in K
R5. Don't stop questioning. Question all their answers. Keep asking "Why?" Keep asking for explanations.
R5 I would have them start with something that they liked, example - clothes, sports and explain why they like what they like
R5 Modeling and think-a-louds
Sometimes other kids ask the BEST questions and push each other's thinking deeper than we intended to go! Love it!
R5 - Must be able to have effective discussions&respond directly to what peers say. Teach w/ modeling, starter stems, redirecting
R5: I will give enough background info for Ss. Then I look at the different subject areas and come at the topic from that way
Yes - think this happens if you create a classroom culture of questioning.
R5 Brainstorming is key. Teach not to rely on the answer that Google gives you
a game we play is Why? S makes a statement & we say Why? See who can last the longest while questioned!
R5 This is why videos worked so well for me; we could watch it quickly, it's relevant, build a conversation with Qs
Which leads us to Question 6: https://t.co/2FjpfJJ2Y7
Yes - think this happens if you create a classroom culture of questioning.
Q6: How can we create a culture of thinking deeper (aka critically) in our classrooms?
R5: Sometimes you just need to GTS-Google That Stuff but for all else ask why and how These are not so easily answered with Google
R5 1 Did a think aloud today with my seniors who were installing drumpfinator ext in chrome to change Trump's name,
R6) I try to ask a log of "I wonder" questions in addition to "How do we know this?" and "Why do we believe this?"
R5: Discussions are key in how we apply the knowledge cross curricularly
R5 2 but the crucial discussion is why they did it and what it means for our political syst and government regardless of beliefs
R5 There are the skills outlined in Bloom's. Regardless of the list, we need to provide opportunities to make decisions
Q6: Again, never stop answering their questions with questions. Hesitate to give "the answer". https://t.co/utESpAupEj
Q6: How can we create a culture of thinking deeper (aka critically) in our classrooms?
Why and How really ramp up the DOK ! https://t.co/QG6QsOu4vy
R5: Sometimes you just need to GTS-Google That Stuff but for all else ask why and how These are not so easily answered with Google
R6: Question all the time. Perfect example would be this years presidential election.
R6: The Ss must feel comfortable and understand the flexibility to tackle any subject matter from multiple angles.
R6: Ss need to feel safe sharing and questioning others (Ts, peers, etc.)
I love the examples being shared that connect critical thinking to digital citizenship
R6: Allow discussion. Use hyperdocs where students collaborate instead of have isolated responses. https://t.co/hMjSUsusdy
Love T-P-S! It is a great way to get kids to verbalize their thoughts and dig deeper!
Yes! An environment of safety and not judgement while still being critical will foster critical thinking https://t.co/am6xdReX1n
R6: Ss need to feel safe sharing and questioning others (Ts, peers, etc.)
R6 Always asking WHY. Providing a learning culture where there is always another door that opens when it comes to questions
R6 - Ss must feel there are no dumb Qs or As. Have to know risk&failure part of learning. Can't allow students to belittle others.
R6: maybe the people debating In the background could learn from our conversation here. Think, apply, learn
R6 Change the way we assess Ss. Encourage more student-centered learning;always ask Qs & encourage Ss to ask you Qs too!
And actually listen to each other. ;)
Can we hear an AMEN! https://t.co/tT58quaTXI
R6 Change the way we assess Ss. Encourage more student-centered learning;always ask Qs & encourage Ss to ask you Qs too!
Yes, assess the process along with the response.
“: R6: Ss need to feel safe sharing and questioning others (Ts, peers, etc.)
”so true!
Q7: How do we ask the right questions?
R6: Also everyone should have a voice in the conversation, not just the dominating Ss. That's where tech can help
Q7: There are no wrong questions!
Agreed. The technology can give everyone a fair opportunity to be heard.
Echoing, ! You have to establish a classroom culture that is respectful and responsive
By def Crit Thinking is making a judgement Being a good is a great first step in the CT process https://t.co/D8Q0FFI52k
I love the examples being shared that connect critical thinking to digital citizenship
I think that is a fantastic idea. I can't wait to try this!
Absolutely. One nice thing about asynchronous online instruction - Ss have chance to really think before answering.
Not to bring down the mood, as we are all bringing up good teaching methods, but how does tech really help push critical thinking
R7: When we limit questions, we limit the boundaries for learning.
R6 Get your students on board as learners. Then focus on their learning rather than their knowing
R7: i'm not so sure US asking the right questions is as important as allowing them to ask the questions. https://t.co/1pSZ6q4fPl
Q7: How do we ask the right questions?
R7: Why questions that allow for collaboration and discovery
being able to collaborate; answer Qs on discussion boards, finding primary resources; produce a student center product
That's what I was HOPING to hear tonight! :-)
Offers opportunities for Ss to apply learning in new ways & to wider audience.
Bonus Q - We are all here tonight to chat about CT and tech...how does tech make it easier to teach CT?
R7: Ask questions that build in complexity depending on the learners--builds Ss confidence to persevere
Tech isn't the solution, it's just a means. https://t.co/2ctbht5fh6
Not to bring down the mood, as we are all bringing up good teaching methods, but how does tech really help push critical thinking
This is so important! Two-fold process in critical thinking! https://t.co/48ykhuBoyi
R4: Teach Ss to cite evidence in their explanations and include why they referenced that evidence; why it is important evidence
R7 Sometimes it's not about what you ask, it's what you don't.
R7 must have a "hook" to get Ss interested. Once Ss are interested then positive critical thinking and discussion will follow
The quickest hour of the week...
Tech provides an alternative way to process, visualize or communicate their thought process
Bonus: Tech can streamline certain things so you can really focus on the skills & learning. Assumes time/training to dev skills.
Bonus: Tech allows everyone to have the chance to contribute
YES! Then the Ss themselves can come up with the Qs. https://t.co/Od9Q3GwAPp
R7 Sometimes it's not about what you ask, it's what you don't.
My pre-schooler says WHY so many times per day that I am thinking that he doesn't know any other words! :-)
Bonus: Tech allows easier differentiation so that you can personalize and spend more time with individual Ss
Tech also allows those kids that wouldn't participate in normal discussions to become valuable contributors.
This is such a wonderful point to make and so very true! https://t.co/L310idBQHh
Tech also allows those kids that wouldn't participate in normal discussions to become valuable contributors.
For me, that has been the biggest difference - I can represent my thinking differently than my peers...and that's ok.
Hello . I'm done with children's hw and dishes.
Tech can be used to strengthen the educational product. But, in many ways, it weakens it.
I've witnessed this. A group of Ss on a single doc. Sharing. Contemplating. Responding in text and aloud.
Help me understand? Weakens?
Bonus: Tech can allow the discussion to break the time/space barrier of a F2F discussion so Critical Thinking can continue.
Bonus Tech should be used to assist & maybe better instruction. It isn't the magic wand.
Bonus: it also helps T see the contributions in retrospect. Can also allow sharing across classes https://t.co/xTqBB6QHUh
Bonus: Tech allows everyone to have the chance to contribute
Wrap and Weave: How would you wrap up the ideas learned here tonight and weave them into a working plan to promote CT?
Allows them to use a tool they may be more confident with rather than writing, drawing or even talking. https://t.co/EP14n93g0G
Tech also allows those kids that wouldn't participate in normal discussions to become valuable contributors.
Tech is not the end all be all; however, it increases the opportunity for student participation
In Indiana, espec. in public ed. tech. can allow a students to showcase work, projects, etc. Their voice is not heard.
Tech can also help create a record of the process rather than only the product. Process is where the CT happens.
Bonus tech can include experts, foreign participants, family even in discussion
I can see voice in projects, music, collaboration
I'm not sure I understand - are you saying tech is primarily used to house work w/o evidence of S learning?
is that dependent on the implementation? Digitizing worksheets comes to mind. Planting students in a computer lab too
Technology can expand your classroom, outside your walls and past 3 o'clock
Students can learn w/ tech. The students can use tech to market their schools, and don't get the chance.
Look at us using tech to have an amazing convo would we all be able to talk at the same time and say what we really wanted?
Are you saying S work isn't shared publicly enough to showcase what they're learning & what schools doing?
We are planning ed tech conference in South Bend. We are looking for awesome educators to present. https://t.co/sU3tnrRtEu
Tech is powerful for us to be lifelong learners and have a PLN this will empower our Ss to do the same
Yes. And, they don't get to use their voice in marketing schools.
Thinking critically about Thinking Critically while using Technology!! Brilliant!! https://t.co/oosJrTwUrQ
Look at us using tech to have an amazing convo would we all be able to talk at the same time and say what we really wanted?
Is this one of the Indiana Summer of eLearning Conferences?
I know. I wish everybody saw how great building a professional learning network on Twitter is
YAY! This IS exciting news!
Anyone else have a shameless plug for their summer of eLearning conference? Now's your chance to promote and look for presenters!
That is interesting. I wonder if there'd be push back by some saying school officials "using" Ss to market?
