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ND TEACHING WITH TECHNOLOGY
Teaching & Learning Strategies

Key Questions:

1.	What teaching and learning strategies support transformational learning environments?
2.	How do these teaching and learning strategies encourage student learning?
3.	What do these teaching and learning strategies look like in the classroom?
4.	How does technology support these teaching and learning strategies?
5.	Which new teaching and learning strategies will I employ in my classroom?

Study Notes
Regardless of the grade level or discipline, teachers often ask the question: “How can I get my students to think?”

Research indicates that critical thinking is not typically addressed in the classroom. A number of studies show that in the typical classroom, the vast majority of teacher questions are at the recall or simple comprehension level. Questions that elicit synthesis and evaluative skills of thinking are rarely asked.

Do we teachers spend too much time directing our students to memorize facts and information? Is it even an important skill in today’s world? Perhaps not! Facts change, and information is readily available – what is needed is an understanding of how to get and make sense of the mass of data. This is the direction of Assignment 3.

Learning is complex. Specific learning strategies can nurture students’ higher order thinking skills and multiple intelligences. TWT Phase II curriculum focuses on project-based learning, problem-based learning, and inquiry-based learning - three successful teaching and learning strategies that engage students. Using these learning strategies promotes higher-order thinking and encourages students to be self-directed learners.

When used appropriately with these teaching and learning strategies, technology is a positive vehicle for promoting transformational learning. It allows students to work on authentic tasks and challenging problems. These types of activities often provide connection with peers, community members, or experts in the field. Students are able to build knowledge collaboratively and to promote the development of higher-order thinking. Technology becomes a tool for locating and organizing information, a means for presenting a solution, and communicating the results.

Project-based learning, problem-based learning, and inquiry-based learning are summarized in the links below: what they are, how they encourage student learning, and what they look like in the classroom. At the completion of Assignment 3, you will be asked to select one of these learning strategies to focus your TWT Phase II proposal on. Be open-minded; consider something new!

Inquiry-based Learning | Problem-based Learning | Project-based Learning | Comparing Strategies