D J Cole UWI WEBSITE

EDTK2030 - Information and Communication Technology in Education S1 | 19/20

Deanna James Cole

Research Paper

Nov 2 2019

Option 2

 

Higher Order Thinking Skills and WEB 2.0 Tools

Higher Order Thinking Skills are the overall phenomenon that results when individuals learn to take experiences and information and create a synergistic result by understanding the information, analyzing the information , reasoning with the information, synthesizing the information, evaluating the information and creativity in terms of the best way forward based on the overall combination of the actions.

According to Sue Watson much of the concept of higher order thinking skills originate from Benjamin Bloom’s concepts of learning. Blooms concepts advocate that we learn by being active, challenged creative and collaborative in our engagement with experiences and information. Supporters of higher order thinking skills support the idea that learning is more accomplished when individuals are actively engaged as opposed to just passive in their engagement of information. Passive engagement such as memorization and learning from repetition without thinking, challenging and analyzing is known as lower order thinking skills. Blooms ideas were formulated in 1956.

Web 2.0 Tools

As we fast forward into 2019 we know have many online tools that can help us be engaged with information in ways that are active, challenging and conducive to higher order thinking skills. We can facilitate many of the various key points of higher order thinking by using tools such as websites, blogs, wikis and other applications. These tools are known as Web 2.O tools. In basic terms these tools can be used by individuals to place information and or experiences in easy to access online formats. This information can then be viewed, reviewed, commented on, enhanced, critiqued and in some cases changed. As individuals work with Web 2.0 applications they can also collaborate. Stakeholders who engage with these tools can be motivated to execute higher order of thinking skills.

According to Barak and Dori Web 2.0 tools encourage interactivity, creativity and collaboration and decision making. This is relatively easy for today’s students because Web 2.0 tools are easy to use and easily found online. Web 2.0 engagements encourage students to become more interactive and thoughtful about the information that is available because of the ease of finding the information and he ease of being engaged with the information and the other people engaged with the information. . This in turn creates higher order thinking skill. Let’s take a look at some examples of how Web 2.0 tools can help inspire higher order thinking.

 

Examples of how Web 2.0 tools are conducive to Higher Order Thinking Skills

In a recent research action Barak and Dori advised that the use of Web 2.0 tools enhanced the higher order thinking skills of the student in terms of critical thinking, presenting opinions and overall persuasive discussions. This does not surprise me. I believe we have to look further than our own actions in our learning journeys at UWI. In many cases were have to review information in our readings and course material, present our view points and engage with other students and our instructors via interactive formats and Wikis.

In being participants that want to do well I believe we do in fact become more advanced in our engagement with information and critical thinking skills. In effect we have to use higher order thinking skills to assure we come across as progressive and competent students.

 

Now let’s take a look at the use of Web 2. Tools in Early Childhood Development. Today’s children are using tablets and going on line at increasingly early ages. As a consequence it comes as no surprise that children are going on websites, blogs and wiki’s as well as interactive learning sites such as ABS Mouse .com.

Many blog advocates believe that the use of blogs by children assist them in terms of building confidence, increasing their ability to present a position, improving communication skills and enhancing reasoning skills. In addition The School Run Blog staff advocates that the international nature of the internet allows children to engage with people from across the world.

 

Concerns about Web2. Tools and early childhood development.

Web 2.0 tools bring many positives to education such as enhanced critical thinking, creativity and enhanced collaboration. However like most teaching concepts we must be concerned and aware of both positives and negatives. In terms of Web 2.0 tools George Palaigeorgiou notes there are several important concerns. Key concerns include the potential that the subject matter may not be of real interest to the students. As a consequence students my start off with a bang however quickly become bored with the topic especially given the need to be interactive and challenged. In addition the issue of internet safety and incorrect information based on the freewheeling potential of opinions may have negative and unwelcome implications.

Research by Palaigeorgiou also indicates the knowledge that children have about the internet and various devices may not be as strong as teachers believe. As such the need to use Web 2.0 tools may turn out to be a significant challenge and distraction to the children. In effect, the ideal learning and development may be blocked. Teachers as well my become a road block if the teachers themselves are note competently trained in the use of the internet and various applications related to Web 2.0 tools.

 

 

 

Conclusion

 

Higher Order Thinking Skills are important opportunities for young students to learn and develop. In today’s fast paced world children are equipped with many technology tools such as the internet, computers, mobile devices and Web 2.0 tools. Web 2. O tools are internet based platforms such as wiki’s, blogs and other interactive platforms that allow information to be shared with individuals across the globe. Given the excitement of using these technology tools there is significant synergy that occurs when higher order thinking skills are used in conjunction with Web 2.0 tools.

By using Web 2.0 tools, given the appropriate parental guidance, children have much to gain by sharing ideas, presenting information, collaborating with each other and thinking in general based on the information at hand. This interactive engagement is an important opportunity for the learning and development of children.