MLTI/eMINTS Modules and Objectives

back to main page

eMINTS Modules | Alternative Offerings

Module Objectives (3-4 hour)

Transforming Learning
with Technology

 Learners will be introduced to basic computer features and functions. Learners will be able to perform introductory file management tasks. Learners will know some basic troubleshooting, maintenance and safety
procedures for computers.		 Learners will classify student tasks according to Grappling’s Technology and
Learning Spectrum.		 Learners will develop a personal goal for technology use in the classroom.
Getting Started with Technology & File Management Learners will develop plans for building classroom community among diverse
students and lay a foundation for collaboration with technology resources.


 Learners will acquire knowledge about the useful features of electronic
communication.		 Learners will become aware of security issues concerning the use of electronic
communication, including spam and viruses.		 Learners will develop personal organizational plans for electronic file management. Learners will deepen their understanding and implement electronic file management plans that will enhance classroom efficiency and productivity.
Constructivism Learners will be able to summarize eMINTS program components. Learners will understand the elements of the eMINTS instructional model. Learners will understand the basic elements of constructivism Learners will identify the difference between a direct-instruction lesson-plan format and a constructivist lesson-plan format. Learners will develop a list of curriculum topics that could become inquiry-based lessons.
Internet Resources Learners will organize Internet resources using browser bookmarking features and will also become familiar with Web-based bookmarking tools. Learners will gain knowledge about using search engines to locate Internet information for classroom use that meets diverse learner needs. Learners will become acquainted with using eThemes as an effective resource tool. Learners will determine how to use Internet safety resources in their classrooms.  
Cooperative Learning Learners will understand why cooperative learning is instrumental in teaching students to work on group technology projects that require higher-order thinking skills. Learners will identify several cooperative-learning strategies to include in their own classrooms and plan ways to use these strategies. Learners will articulate the importance of structuring positive interdependence into cooperative-learning groups and plan how this will be implemented in their classrooms. Learners will become aware of how strong group-interaction skills are integral to the success of cooperative group work.  
Effective Uses of Productivity Tools Learners will classify student use of technology based on Grappling's Technology and Learning Spectrum. Learners will become comfortable enough using Microsoft Word to train their students to use the program effectively. Learners will gain knowledge about Microsoft Word as a classroom-productivity tool. Learners will identify instructional-design techniques that include using Microsoft Word to support inquiry-based learning in the classroom.  
Interactive Whiteboards Learners will become familiar with the functions and features of the SMART Board. Learners will develop basic SMART Board troubleshooting skills. Learners will become comfortable enough with SMART Notebook to use the program with their students. Learners will discover new ways to use these programs to support inquiry based learning in the classroom.  
Questioning Strategies Learners will understand the underlying purpose behind questioning in the classroom as a fuel for investigations and learning. Learners will recognize the importance of fostering a classroom culture that values student questions. Learners will use a variety of strategies with technology, where appropriate, to train students to ask and use questions that promote investigations, higher levels of thinking and deeper understanding. Learners will begin developing tasks that engage students in using questions to guide learning.  
Presentations Learners will gain knowledge about Power Point as an instructional tool that can be integrated across the curriculum. Learners will become comfortable designing Power Point presentations and be able to teach the software to students. Learners will understand the importance of considering the cognitive level and purpose of student tasks that include the development of Power Point presentations. Learners will discover and plan implementation and management strategies to support inquiry-based learning in the classroom that includes Power Point presentations.  
Interdisciplinary Teaching and Problem-based Learning Learners will understand the need for interdisciplinary teaching and the benefits interdisciplinary teaching provides students. Learners will identify the important elements of an interdisciplinary unit. Learners will assess the design of an interdisciplinary unit. Learners will plan interdisciplinary units for their classrooms that include technology to support student learning.  
Website I Planning Learners will become aware of different purposes for creating class websites and will understand how a class website can enhance inquiry-based learning. Learners will identify the aspects of well-designed websites. Learners will discern design elements that enhance usability and website content that meets target audience needs. Learners will storyboard their own websites. Learners will become aware of resources that can aid in website creation.
Website II Building Learners will understand the importance of file management and pre-planning as first steps in the website-development process. Learners will gain knowledge and develop skills in creating a website with Web authoring software. Learners will create class websites using Web-authoring software.    
Website III Enhancements Learners will evaluate their websites for how well content meets intended goals and the design in terms of usability. Learners will be introduced to design techniques that enhance classroom websites based on accessibility standards. Learners will develop skills in using additional features and functions of Dreamweaver to enhance website usability and accessibility. Learners will redesign and/or update their classroom websites based on the results of their website evaluations, employing new skills as appropriate.  
Inquiry-based Lessons Intro Learners will examine and describe the elements of an inquiry-based lesson. Learners will understand the principles and concepts of essential questions and higher-level thinking skills and their use in inquiry-based lessons. Learners will develop essential questions and criteria for success for original inquiry-based lessons.    
Inquiry-based Lessons Language Arts Learners will understand the basic elements of constructivism.
 Learners will develop a plan for implementing inquiry-based teaching, or other related constructivist methods, and incorporating technology into communication arts lessons.      
Inquiry-based Lessons Math Learners will understand how to write lessons applying mathematics skills in real decision-making situations. Learners will transform traditional mathematics lessons into inquiry-based lessons that incorporate technology.      
Inquiry-based Lessons Science Learners will experience a hands-on inquiry-based science activity and compare it to a more traditional "cookbook" lab experience.

Learners will develop their own criteria for inquiry-based lab experiences. Learners will analyze their own science activities by considering the degree to which those activities are closed, directed or open inquiries. Learners will each transform one of their own science activities by incorporating science process skills and increasing the level of inquiry in the activity.  
Inquiry-based Lessons Social Studies Learners will understand the basic elements of constructivism. Learners will reflect on their own lesson-planning styles and on creating lessons that require higher level thinking from students. Learners will explore various ways to approach transforming existing lessons into the constructivist format and enhancing them with technology. Learners will transform their own traditional social studies lessons into lessons informed by constructivist theory and incorporating technology.  
Webquests I
Introduction		 Learners will understand the key elements of a WebQuest and the ways WebQuests contribute to inquiry-based learning. Learners will deepen their understanding of the process of choosing good WebQuests to support inquiry-based learning in their classrooms. Learners will select and teach existing WebQuests that meet the needs of their students.    
Webquests II
Modifying		 Learners will deepen their understanding of WebQuests that are authentic in
nature and engage students in applying higher-level thinking skills.		 Learners will evaluate an existing WebQuest to clarify instructional-design strengths and weaknesses. Learners will understand the mechanics of editing existing WebQuests to suit the needs of their students. Learners will redesign an existing WebQuest to strengthen identified weaknesses before implementation in the classroom.  
Webquests III
Writing
  • Learners will write a webquest
       
Webquests IV
Revisiting		 Learners will reflect on topics or important points related to designing and
implementing a WebQuest.
 Learners will evaluate the objectives of a WebQuest using more than its title and will be more effective at designing and finding WebQuests to meet curriculum standards.
Learners will become familiar with the eMINTS WebQuest rubric and the importance of assessing a WebQuest to improve instructional design.		 Learners will use the eMINTS WebQuest rubric to assess the instructional design of a WebQuest and identify elements that could be revised. Learners will revise their own WebQuests to meet the standards set by the eMINTS WebQuest rubric.
Assessing Student Technology Products Learners will become acquainted with design techniques and technical features used to create multimedia products that meet communication needs. Learners will determine the level of thinking employed to create a multimedia product based on Bloom’s Taxonomy. Learners will develop assessment tools for multimedia products that assess content, design elements and presentation skills. Learners will plan and implement multimedia projects that effectively meet communication needs.  
Learning Communities Learners will determine the need for specific management strategies related to the use of technology in the classroom and make appropriate choices based on
that information. 		Learners will evaluate previously established classroom norms based on the addition of student computers and plan appropriate modifications. Learners will develop and implement Classroom Use Policies that promote the safe and healthy use of technology by students. Learners will augment their community-building repertoire and continue implementing team-building activities in their classrooms.  
Visual Literacy Learners will understand the importance of reading and understanding intended messages conveyed through images as a visual-literacy skill. Learners will understand the skills required to use images for effective communication as a visual-literacy skill. Learners will gain knowledge about the functions of a digital camera. Learners will use images to support inquiry-based learning in the classroom.  
Digital Images Learners will become aware of the different types of images needed to develop a classroom website. Learners will understand the process for saving and storing different graphical formats. Learners will become comfortable using Fireworks to edit existing images and to create original images for use on classroom websites.    
Thinking Tools Learners will understand the underlying purpose for different types of graphic organizers as tools for thinking. Learners will determine when students could use graphic organizers as a tool to support higher-level thinking. Learners will develop skills for using concept-mapping software with their students as a tool for organizing information and learning. Learners will gain the ability to produce visual models and diagrams to meet their students’ needs.  
Classroom Communication Learners will understand the value of selecting a communication tool that will best meet a communication need. Learners will examine online communication methods and determine how these methods can enhance classroom communication for a variety of purposes Learners will select and plan to use a method of communication (online or print based) that will enhance classroom communication for a variety of purposes. Learners will explore synchronous communication tools and develop an awareness of the advantages for using these tools as a method of
communication in the classroom.		  
Class Management with Technology Learners will align their classroom-management systems with the principles of community building in their classrooms. Learners will recognize that strong classroom behavior management means assisting students in meeting their long-term needs in a positive manner rather than extinguishing short-term behaviors. Learners will create a system of classroom management that includes the use of computers and other technologies. Learners will plan methods for addressing technology safety issues.  
Contemporary Literacy Learners will understand the importance of teaching students to evaluate information resources. Learners will cultivate effective skills for evaluating Internet resources. Learners will develop information-evaluation tools for use in the classroom. Learners will become aware of copyright laws related to student and teacher use of information found on the Internet.  
Online Projects Learners will be able to define an online project. Learners will be aware of resources for finding online projects. Learners will understand how to use online projects with technology to support inquiry-based learning. Learners will select and develop online projects for their classrooms that match their curricular needs. Learners will design projects that use the unique qualities of the Internet to meet their individual curricular goals.
Working with Authentic Data (Excel Based) Learners will create a simple spreadsheet to analyze data. Learners will make charts and diagrams to represent mathematical data. Learners will use simple formulas in a spreadsheet. Learners will develop spreadsheets appropriate for classroom organization and productivity. Learners will identify many uses for spreadsheets in an inquiry-based classroom and plan activities to implement with their students.
Multimedia I
Mapping a Project 		Learners will understand the benefits of using story maps as a scaffolding tool for multimedia projects. Learners will determine how story maps can be used to support the development of multimedia presentations for a variety of presentation formats. Learners will become comfortable designing mPower5 presentations and will be able to teach the software to students. Learners will create a multimedia project using mPower5 that will be
implemented in their classrooms.		  
Multimedia II
Creating a Project 		Learners will discover how student-produced movies can support inquiry-based learning in the classroom. Learners will recognize the value of story boarding during the pre-planning phase of the multimedia development process. Learners will gain knowledge about movie making software as a tool for the production of multimedia presentations. Learners will become comfortable enough using movie making software to teach it to students.  

back to top

Alternative Offerings (2-hour)

Digital Storytelling in the classroom (2 or more sessions)

Learners will learn to plan and use a storyboard. Learners will explore technology options best suitable for their classroom. Learners will learn how to upload photos and videos, edit them, add voice or audio tracks, and export or share movies.    
Find, Keep, and Share Your Resources Learners will develop and refine web searching skills.


Learners will establish a portable bookmarking account (using Portaportal) Learners will become aware of advantages of social bookmarking (using del.icio.us) Learners will look for resources and organize their web resources both using a browser (locally on their machine) and learn to share bookmarks as files, and add them to the web-based services.  
Google Apps: Opening the Walls of Your Classroom Learners will learn about iGoogle, its widgets, including GoogleReader, wordprocessor, and spreadsheets Learners will develop lesson activities using Google Apps Learners will search for and subscribe to RSS feeds (blogs, news, podcasts, etc.) Learners will establish accounts with Google and learn to share documents via internet for collaboration. Learners will develop a list of curriculum topics that could best benefit from online application suite..
Using and Creating Wikis in the Classroom (2 sessions) Learners will learn about the basics of the wiki software and the technology behind it. Learners will explore ways the collaborative software may enhance their classrooms, and develop activities for students.      
Video Sharing Sites as Classroom Resource Learners will learn about resources available for use. Learners will search for appropriate videos for classroom use. Learners will become aware of safe ways to share or save the video for use with students Learners will upload photos and videos, edit them online to create a movie, or use someone else's videos to edit to suit their lesson goals.