Bloom's Web2.0

Taking my lead from Kelly Tenkely and other PLN friends I recently gave the students a selection of web2.0 tools to explore and consider. Their task was to uncover the purpose of the web2.0 application, how it might (or might not) fit into our classroom and to consider a way to connect it to their learning. The students worked individually at first, exploring the logo and URL address they had been given. After 15 minutes or so individuals were paired to share their apps with a partner and together discuss how these could (or not) be used to enhance their learning. Meanwhile a group of six students explored, discussed and prepared visual representations of the six levels of Bloom’s (remember, understand, apply, analyse, explain, create).

The following day we began our lesson with the ‘story’ of Benjamin Bloom. I introduced the six levels of thinking to the students in a narrative style overview. As I talked about each new level of thinking the student who had developed the ‘poster’ came to the front to add it to our overview and give a brief explanation from his or her own understanding.

From this, pairs then became groups of four. The students shared their web2.0 apps within their new group and discussed where on the Blooms taxonomy they might connect their applications. The discussions were rich and powerful as students debated not only the meaning of each level of thinking but also the purpose and potential use of the applications they were discussing.

Students then stuck their application icon onto the level of thinking they thought was a ‘best fit’. Finally we ended talking about how we can take our display to the next level and produce a more permanent visual display, quickly recognising they were using creative thinking skills as they brainstormed ideas the kids did have some very creative ideas (spiders, rainbows, hanging mobiles).

We haven’t had the time over the past few days to come back to developing the more permanent display. The temporary display is still sitting around the white board, perhaps because of this, the students really are beginning to use the language in their discussions. As we use more and more technology in the classroom and more and more I ask the students to connect their use of technology to their learning the conversations are becoming increasingly insightful. Perhaps it’s not such a bad thing that we haven’t moved the display…