Classroom+use+and+ICT+support


 * __Relevant and Purposeful examples of classroom use__ **

====Within his 1990 article, //Thinkers' keys for kids// Tony Ryan stresses the importance of providing students with opportunities to develop their analytical, critical and creative thinking abilities. He argues that the quality of learning is augmented by having such thinking capabilities, therefore it should not just be optional, it should be essential. Ryan argues that critical and creative thinking are core skills that can be explicitly taught to students using the 20 thinkers' keys cards, within the context of the learning.====

There are many ways that the thinkers' keys can be integrated into the classroom to enhance the thinking of the students. So[[image:key.JPG width="182" height="67" align="right"]]me examples are:

 * =====** Classroom display- **Above and beside are an examples of displays of the 20 thinkers keys that can be printed off, laminated, and referred to throughout the school day to unlock the critical, analytical and creative thinking abilities of the students. (e.g After reading a picture book, ask students using the prediction key to predict what Greedy cat may be doing in 3 years time) Click on the Thinkers Keys for Printing- Colourful & Thinkers keys poster icons at the bottom of the page to view all 20 thinkers keys, presented in colourful and eye-catching forms, suitable to be displayed in the [[image:classroom_example align="right" caption="Classroom Display"]]classroom.=====
 * ** Thinkers' keys wheel- ** Below right is an example of the 20 thinkers' keys laminated and tied together, this providing a more tactile resource that can be used by students within group discussions, or by the teacher within a whole class situation.
 * ===== **Reading Contract Activities-** The 20 thinkers' keys can be incorporated into daily reading contract activities (e.g using the Reverse Listing Key What are 5 things Greedy cat could not eat?)=====
 * =====** Inquiry- **Use the 20 thinkers' keys at all stages of an inquiry as a tool for thinking more deeply about the topic. (e.g Values. Using the variations key, Name 5 ways that you could treat someone with respect) Could be used as part of ongoing assessment (e.g. Using the question key, provide an answer to students and have them form a question that that answer.)=====
 * ** Homework Tasks- ** The 20 thinkers' keys can be applied to tasks within many different contexts (applicable to the students current learning) and can be used to reinforce learning in class.
 * ** Exploration of a Unit- **Use the 20 thinkers' keys to explore a current unit more deeply (e.g Using the picture key Work out ways to relate the picture to the studied topic of Living Things (see example below)
 * ** Extention- ** Use the thinkers' keys as extention activities for more capable learners (e.g Using the prediction key What do you predict might happen if we continue to dump our rubbish in landfills? [[image:thinkerskeys.jpg align="right" caption="Thinkers' keys wheel"]]
 * ** Classroom values- ** Use the thinkers' keys to get students thinking about the importance of values/rules within the classroom (e.g Using the brainstorming key, what would happen if classrooms had no rules?) Click on activities below that have been used within the classroom.
 * ** Assessment- ** Use the thinkers' keys as a way of unlocking student knowledge and thinking in all learning areas. (e.g. Within a unit on birds, the teacher supplies students with an answer- kiwi and //Using the question key// the students must develop 5 questions where kiwi is the answer- Name a flightless New Zealand bird etc.

**__ ICT Support [[image:3352714668_269862be66.jpg width="367" height="246" align="right" caption="Interactive Whiteboard Example"]] __**

 * Ryan's thinkers' keys can be used in multiple ways using the support of I.C.T. Some examples are: **
 * ** Interactive Whiteboards- The Keys can be further developed and discussed using an interactive whiteboard flipchart; creating a mental knowledge book containing explorations around a particular topic. **
 * ** World Wide Web- Students can use search engines such as Google to help locate specific information in regards to an activity explored through a thinkers' key. **
 * ===** Wikis, Blogs etc- Students can use wikis and blogs to present their learning using the thinkers' keys and engage in discussions with other classroom communities within New Zealand and around the world. **===

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