AlphaPlus

What would Leonardo Da Vinci do with a laptop?  That’s the basis for  Leonardo’s Laptop – published about 10 years ago and authored by Ben Shneiderman – in exploring this question Shneiderman focused on what users could do with computers rather than what computers can do.

Although the book is out of print the framework that Shneiderman developed is available on line. The framework consists of 4 elemens:

C0llect – gathering student knowledge and research

Relate – students collaborate and share their learning

Create – students showcase their learning and understanding by creating a “product”

Donate – finding a way to share/publish student work

You can read  more about the framework  HERE .

Now the folks at the edtechteacher blog have  applied this framework to a set of web  tools. They start with a  set of learning goals for instructors to consider, for instance,  I want my students to publish their writing online for others to read. and I want to create tests, quizzes, and games online and then describe some  appropriate tools to help  accomplish that goal,  they also rate the usefulness and ease of use of each tool. Here is how they describe the list,

...we have compiled a list of technology tools focused on learning goals consistent with the CRCD framework. Unlike other lists that promote “cool tools,” yet leave teachers wondering about purposeful educational integration, our list is driven by specific learning goals that promote critical-thinking, creativity, collaboration, and community-mindedness…

I really like  the idea of starting with the learning objective or goal rather than starting with the technology and trying to figure out how it could be useful, so I think this list is a very useful resource in itself and an as a example when working on how to effectively use and integrate technology in teaching.

Enjoy!