How can technology help develop higher order thinking and problem solving skills?

The Data

Education World released an interesting paper showing that various technologies could be used to help students develop critical thinking skills throughout Bloom's Taxonomy.

The article referenced different web resources that could be used for thinking development in each of the six areas:

Knowledge: Internet Public Library and KidsClick.
Comprehension: Funbrain, Quia and BookAdventure.
Application: Create a graph.
Analysis: EyeWitness to History, American Memory, and ThinkTank.
Synthesis: (Old Defunct Sites)
Evaluation:  Zoomerang, WISE, and Checklists.

 It is fascinating to me how technology can be used across the learning spectrum.  The examples given by the Education World website show me that technology use isn't just effective for older students, but instead can be used to effectively teach all students  Additionally, technology develops critical thinking/problem solving skills by providing opportunities for students to grow at each level of Bloom's Taxonomy. 

In addition to the connection between Bloom's Taxonomy and technology made by Education World, CARAT stated that technology can help with the development of higher thinking when technology is combined with problem solving to create solutions.  Research showed a growth in student performance, writing, math, computer skills, self-confidence, ability to teach, and problem-solving skills for students who used technology (albeit with the combination of drama and the socratic method).

The CARAT research also showed that internet research projects that ended in a presentation in front of other students developed critical thinking skills.


So What?

I liked the link between the Taxonomy for Thinking and Technology.  I am a believer in Bloom's Taxonomy, so seeing the technology at work throughout emphasized to me the value of technology to students throughout their educational career.  Additionally, I loved how all of the website resources were FREE.  The equipment and internet connection cost a lot to implement, but once they are in place, the value of all of the free tools and resources that can be used by the teacher far outweighs the cost.

I didn't find the CARAT site as helpful.  The first study showed the results of students that learned through technology, socratic questioning and drama.  The website did not say there was control group to show the benefits of learning through drama and socratic questioning, so I'm not as confident in the results of the research as the researchers.  I agree that research projects and presentations develop critical thinking skills, but I am left wondering whether this would happen regardless of whether technology was involved.

I agree with the Taxonomy approach.  I agree with the results of the CARAT site, but I am skeptical about the attributions of the benefits to technology and not to the other factors involved.  While I am skeptical about the results of the CARAT research, I firmly believe that technology makes research and education more efficient, and easier, so there are benefits to the use of technology in research projects, regardless of whether those benefits are related to higher order thinking and problem solving skills.

The First Awkward Blog Post

So...  Every blogger does this stereotypical thing where they create a post explaining who they are, why they are creating a blog, and why everyone else in the world should care.

My name is Eric Beem.  I am creating this blog for a class.  I don't expect anyone to really care about this blog.  In fact, I would expect that other people find me on facebook, or check out my other blog that has cool, fun videos from my trips to Israel and Zambia.  But I digress, because I'm sure that blogging for my class will be a worthwhile activity, and perhaps I will generate something worth reading.  (Insert customary symbol showing that my previous comments are mildly self-depreciating humor:  :)  ).

Other important things to know:
-Why I want to be a teacher:  I've always had a heart for youth, and I want to make a positive impact on their lives.  They are at a time in their lives where they are very mold-able.  There are many positive forces and negative forces at work in their lives, and I want to be one of those positive forces.  I love learning, and I love thinking through relevant topics and talking through them.  I want to share that love with my students.  I am planning on working in a public school environment, and my greatest hope is that the love of Jesus Christ shines through to the students in my life, that though I can't speak to the students about my faith, that they can see it in me.

-My technology proficiency is between tech whiz and pure awesomeness.

-My expectations for the course are to find some new useful tools to integrate into teaching, and I am hoping to have a better understanding of how I can take the things I know about technology and integrate them into teaching better than simply creating a powerpoint or showing a movie.

I am looking forward to a month of fun!