There are many problem solving processes available to us, but Needham points out some clear advantages of using the Big 6 in Ch. 20.
- Other processes assume students already know the best sources of information and where to find them, while the Big 6 helps students identify both instead of leaving this important piece to chance. Most of our students make the automatic jump to online research, which is not all bad if we teach them how to evaluate resources to identify the "best" resources for the task and not just Google.
- The vocabulary used in the Big 6 can be applied to many type of problems. Students sometimes don't realize that they have problems to solve outside of school. The "How Much is That Doggy In The Window" presentation we referenced earlier in our book study is a great way to show students how application of the Big 6 is useful outside of school.
- Finally, use of the Big 6 process supports many other research-based strategies proven to support how students learn.
There are no discussion questions this week, but please post your own parting thoughts as comments. Remember, we will have our final face-to-face meeting Mon., Nov. 1, to share lessons developed over the past weeks and take a closer look at the things your have posted on the website. The "blended" format of this book study is definitely a work in progress and needs your thoughts on ways to improve the process as a way to collaborate regularly. Please check your syllabus to make sure you have completed all of the assigned tasks for the book study. See you tomorrow!
I feel that I have gained a great deal of knowledge from this book study. I feel I have a stronger understanding of the Big6 and how to incorporate it into what I am already doing. I also am glad that I was forced to investigate new technologies and tools. Often, I use the excuse that I just don't have the time to sit down and learn about something new, but this class forced me to find the time and the benefits are numerous. I feel more comfortable with Glogs and Blogs. I feel more informed about Search Engine options. In general, I just feel more "in the know" than before the course. I look at the course as a jumpstart. Whereas before I might have shied away from using a new technology tool with my students, hopefully now I will be more adventurous and will choose to integrate more technology into my teaching. Now I feel like I can do this successfully even if it takes a few tries. Now I am not as scared to try some of these cool new things! Thanks Vicki, Diana, and Corliss for all of your hard work. We all appreciate it!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Vicki, Diana, and Corliss for all that you have done to push me way past my comfort zone. I have absolutely done so much more than I thought I would have felt comfortable to do, and believe it or not, I now want to try more--maybe even facebook, educational facebook of course. What I have discovered in my sometime stressed moments, that every time I was forced to use another tool, to investigate another source, my mind started to click with a new way to plan a lesson and to throw out to others my new found knowledge. I am even about to reach out to a few colleagues that I feel might be ready, to set up a blog to use for collaboration, which with our schedules, may be the only way to collaborate--face to face collaboration becomes more difficult all of the time. With all of my whining and stressing, I must say, the time spent on this book study has been worth it.
ReplyDeleteThanks guys,
Linda
This has been one of the most beneficial courses I have taken, I was able to get lots of useable ideas that I can apply to my media center. This time last year I wouldn’t have even thought I was capable of doing any of the things I have done. I am so excited about applying these new fun things into what I do. I have already created lessons on Photostory for my first and third graders, and I am planning on trying out Glogster with my fourth graders. My fifth graders have been making Flip Videos and are going to be working on making book trailers in the next few weeks. I kind of feel like I have been given a technology makeover, thank you to Vicki, Diana, and Corliss for forcing me to push myself.
ReplyDeleteI, too, have learned so much. Do you feel that we have only touched the surface of incorporating technology? Berger will sit next to my lesson planning resources and computer! I will be using it every week, I think! Needhams's book was a great resource for breaking down the Big6. I am a firm believer in the model. I have toyed with the idea of using Super3 with my younger grades but feel that madifying Big6 for them makes more sense.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that we were able to take an extra week to complete. It was a huge undertaking for the amount of time we had and all the obligations that we have as teachers and librarians. I know that my perciption of how to use technology has changed and I cannot wait to use it more and more. I feel that this was a great opportunity and I really benefited from all of you thoughts and ideas. Let,s revisit it often. Can we keep our blog open?
I think the blending of these two books was a brilliant way to accomplish a very valuable goal:expanding our use of the Big Six as we implement technology in variety of ways new to us. As several of us have observed, having a dealine helps create the incentive to get it done! The great thing is, through the website we can continue the growth.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Vicki, Diana and Corliss for creating this opportunity for us.
Thanks so much for allowing me to join this study. I have always known that students need to be taught how to think. I know the Big Six is a methodical way to do this. I also like the consistent terminology used to always be fostering problem solving. Breaking down the big six and partnering it with a form of technology really helps you understand the usage of the Web 2.0 tools. Thanks again and I appreciate all of your ideas and comments.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to all of you. We are very proud that you perservered through the class reading and assignments. We applaud that fact that you have all grown as professionals and are really taking your new found knowledge and running with it. We know your students and staff will benefit from your efforts!
ReplyDeleteI response to Corliss's question. I will be keeping this blog open so please feel free to go back and read/comment on previous topics as well as adding new content whenever you'd like.
ReplyDelete