Mindtools for Engaging Critical Thinking in Classrooms

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This Web site was developed to support the offering of

"Q 466: Computers as Cognitive Tools".

The textbook for the course is the second edition of the book Computers as Mindtools in Schools: Engaging Critical Thinking by David H. Jonassen (2000).

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Part 1: Mindtools

1. What are Mindtools?

2. Critical Thinking

Part 2. Semantic Organization Tools

3. Building Databases

• Examples of Databases as Mindtools
• Readings about Databases as Mindtools
• Software You Can Use

4. Building Semantic Networking

• Examples of Semantic Networks as Mindtools
• Readings about Semantic Networks as Mindtools
• Software You Can Use
• Descriptions of lots of concept mapping tools (Select Grosse Version)

Part 3. Dynamic Modeling Tools

5. Spreadsheets

• Examples of Spreadsheets as Mindtools
• Readings about Spreadsheets as Mindtools
• Software You Can Use

6. Expert Systems

• Examples of Expert Systems as Mindtools
• Readings about Expert Systems as Mindtools
• Software You Can Use

7. Systems Modeling Tools (Model-It, Stella)

• Examples of Systems Modeling Tools as Mindtools
• Readings about Systems Modeling Tools as Mindtools
• Software You Can Use

8. Microworlds

• Examples of Microworlds as Mindtools
• Readings about Microworlds as Mindtools
• Software You Can Use

9. Abductive Reasoning Tools

Part 4. Information Interpretation Tools

10. Intentional Information Search Tools

• Examples of Search Tools as Mindtools
• Readings about Search Tools as Mindtools
• Software You Can Use

11. Visualizing Concepts

• Examples of Visualization Concepts as Mindtools
• Readings about Visualization Concepts as Mindtools
• Software You Can Use

Part 5. Knowledge Building Tools

12. Publishing Multimedia Knowledge Bases

Desktop Publishing

CD-ROMs

Web Site Construction

Part 6. Conversation Tools

13. Facilitating Live Conversations (Chats, MOOs, and MUDs)

14. Reflecting on Ideas Through Computer Conferencing

Part 5. Implementing Mindtools

15. Rubrics for Assessing Learning Outcomes from Mindtools

16. Entailments in Using Mindtools