Teaching for Understanding with Technology (Jossey Bass Education Series) (Paperback)

by Martha Stone Wiske (Author), Kristi Rennebohm Franz (Author), Lisa Breit (Contributor) "Figuring out how to take full advantage of new educational technologies is a complex process that goes beyond purchasing hardware and plugging it into a..." (more)
Key Phrases: understanding with new technologies, guided inquiry performances, generative topics, Quilt Math, New York, Bird Print Writing (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Here's a fresh and insightful look at how technology can enhance learning. Forget the computer rooms and all the fancy hardware. If you don't make technology part of the learning process, you're missing the critical link. A must-read for teachers, educators, and anyone else who wants to transmit ideas and help others think in new and bold ways."
--Robert B. Reich, Hexter Professor of Social and Economic Policy, Brandeis University

"Teaching for Understanding with Technology is an important owner’s manual for educators, as well as policymakers and the larger public, on the most effective uses for technology in the classroom. The authors combine their perspective from the university and the school classroom to show how powerful ideas in learning can be realized in the work of teachers and students."
--Milton Chen, executive director, The George Lucas Educational Foundation

"This book supports innovative pedagogical theory with classroom-based examples of how to teach with Internet-based and other technology tools. The Teaching for Understanding framework provides a roadmap for educators seeking to use and assess the full potential of technology in the classroom, whether they are poised on the on-ramp or already cruising the information superhighway. It is required reading for both teachers, education policymakers and global educators."
--Dr. Edwin Gragert, executive director, iEARN-USA (International Education and Resource Network)

"At last, a book written with the practitioner in mind. Teaching for Understanding with Technology will serve as an invaluable guide for educators everywhere. The authors speak in real terms, through the eyes of real students and teachers. The vignettes show how technology can empower and motivate both student and teacher. As a principal and instructional manager, I see this book as a must-have blueprint for all educators. I intend to purchase a copy for every staff member in my building."
--Mary Skipper, headmaster, TechBoston Academy, Dorchester, Massachusetts

"If you have any doubts about the way in which technology can enrich the learning of all students, you are holding the book you need to read. Stone details the ways in which Kristi is reinventing learning in the age of technology and explains why this approach is so essential. What is remarkable is that when you treat first graders like graduate students they end up acting like them."
--Margaret Riel, senior researcher, Center for Technology in Learning SRI, and visiting professor, Pepperdine University

"This book is about translation and transformation, using the new technologies to improve teaching and learning. It demonstrates how these new technologies, essential ingredients in education in the twenty-first century, can support teachers as they refine their practice, and make learning a deeper and more lasting experience---students learn to understand. The book makes an elegant case for the appropriate and informed use of technology in our schools."
--Isa Kaftal Zimmerman, director, Technology in Education Program, Lesley University

"This book is needed so that all educators will understand how to use the power of technology to propel teaching and student learning. Teachers need to understand how to create classroom projects with technology that build on the students’ interests and extend those interests by having students communicating and collaborating with peers around the globe. This book can help teachers break through the barriers of integrating technology into their curriculum. Classrooms can then become  learning environments where students reach out to their world and find their place in it."
--Katherine Law, Seattle public school teacher and lead educational technologist

Product Description
Teaching for Understanding with Technology is part of the "Teaching for Understanding" project at Harvard University. It focuses on using new technologies to enhance the learning experience. Teachers will learn how they can access online curricula resources, web information, and professional networks to research topics to teach, set short- and long-term learning goals, create assignments, and assess student understanding.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (October 22, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787972304
• ISBN-13: 978-0787972301
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #407,478 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not as good as other Teaching with Technology books, April 13, 2005

By	Jacob Walker (Loomis, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

With this being a brand new book, and having read part of the first chapter on Amazon, I was looking forward to reading it. I was let down.

First, I personally think that while the "Teaching for Understanding" model of teaching is not bad, it is similar to the constructivist concept that most technology education books use as their foundation, but I found the "Teaching for Understanding" model to not be as strong or consistant and integrated with itself as the Constructivist model.

Further, the examples that are given in the book felt more shallow than examples I have seen with constructivism. While none of the technology use was bad, per se, in Teaching for Understanding with Technology, none of the examples I saw, really worked towards using the technology to change the way students think.

I suppose one reason for this, is that the book seems to be written for the very beginning computer user. I applaud this effort, because I have found far too many teachers to be computer illiterate, and worse, are scared to learn. If we want to impress that learning is lifelong to our students, we must be the demonstration.

I personally recommend Teaching with Technology: Designing Opportunities to Learn. While this is a textbook, and costs a fair bit more than other books about using technology in education, I think it is the most well rounded and practical book out there on the subject, and I have read a lot of them.

5.0 out of 5 stars everything you need to know about TfU, January 12, 2007

By	Yi Chun I. Chen "I C" (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a great book to cover all the foundations of teaching for understanding with technology. the examples they used in the book are all really life examples that inspired you how to use TfU in classrooms.

5.0 out of 5 stars essential for every educator, August 6, 2005

By	Wendell Gonzalez Miranda "wen" (Panama, Republic of Panama) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

an excellent book in order to extent and enhance the use of technology in our classroom.