ThingLink+(Look+and+Learn)

This is a joint presentation by Vicente Velazquez and Jeanne Semilia. We have worked together in several classes and feel our different roles and involvement in education at different levels has brought a good mix of perspectives into our projects. ==== For another class, we developed a web-based learning system, called College Ready ([]). The site is a one-stop shop, with many resources available, for students to discover if they are college ready. We thought ThingLink would be something we would like learn more about and possibly add to our site. ==== ==== Since there are many aspects to being college ready, for the purpose of this presentation, we wanted to focus on one most students don’t think of first…self discovery! There are different types of learning styles, and students should know their type. Just as knowing your blood type is critical in an emergency situation, knowing your learning style is critical to academic success. ====
 * Welcome to our Technology Presentation on ThingLink **

** What is ThingLink? ** ThingLink is a platform for creating interactive images and videos for web, social, advertising, and educational channels. Content can come alive with video, text, images, shops, and music. ThingLink delivers information in a creative and fun way. media type="custom" key="26605894" align="left" width="114" height="114" media type="youtube" key="Q0jWP4wdmAQ" width="562" height="439" align="right"

** Pedagogical Considerations for ThingLink Technology ** Linked ELA Common Core: media type="custom" key="26549280" align="left" width="163" height="163"**RI.9-10.** **READING: INFORMATIONAL TEXT** RI.9-10.1., RI.9-10.2., **W.9-10**. **WRITING** W.9-10.1., W.9-10.1.e., W.9-10.2.d., W.9-10.2.f., W.9-10.3.b., W.9-10.3.e., W.9-10.7., W.9-10.9. **SL.9-10. SPEAKING & LISTENING** SL.9-10.1., SL.9-10.1.a., SL.9-10.4. **L.9-10. LANGUAGE** L.9-10.1., L.9-10.2., L.9-10.2.c., L.9-10.4., L.9-10.4.a., L.9-10.4.c., L.9-10.4.d. **RST.9-10**. **READING: SCIENCE & TECHNICAL SUBJECTS** RST.9-10.2. **WHST.9-10.** **WRITING: HISTORY/SOCIAL STUDIES, SCIENCE, & TECHNICAL SUBJECTS** WHST.9-10.2.a., WHST.9-10.9.

** Lesson Objectives ** To demonstrate the visual power of imaging and learning. T o utilize an interactive learning tool for the purpose of facilitating a growth in learning. To engage learners immediately through visual presentations. Assess the uniqueness of individual styles and preferences. Distinguish among the three sensory (perceptual) systems. Explain the essential elements of the learning process. Explain the five phases of learning in the Dunn and Dunn learning model. Define key words: auditory, kinesthetic, mode, motivation, perception, reflex, schema, sensory, tactile.

** Lesson - Part 1 ** ** The Impact of Learning Styles & Preference to the Success of a Student ** One of the most common and widely used categorizations of the various types of learning styles is the VARK model:
 * V ** - visual learners [[image:VARK comic.jpg width="687" height="243" align="right"]]
 * A ** - auditory learners
 * R ** - reading-writing preference learners
 * K ** - kinesthetic learners or tactile learners

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Students can use the VARK model to identify their preferred learning style and maximize their educational experience by focusing on what benefits them the most. Click [|here] to take the VARK questionnaire. In about 10 minutes, you’ll know your preferred learning style.

** Lesson - Part 2 ** ** Academic Success ** For academic success to happen, the team of student and teacher play key roles.
 * On the student side of things, many factors have to be taken into consideration regarding self-awareness. These are questions the student should be asking of themselves:**
 * 1) Am I motivated to learn and move forward with education?
 * 2) What is my learning style?
 * 3) Am I (and my family) financially healthy?
 * 4) Do I have time to fit education into my schedule?


 * The instructors/teachers should also be asking questions of themselves:**
 * 1) Am I presenting content in ways to accommodate all learning styles?
 * 2) Am I engaging with students to identify and address concerns?
 * 3) Am I using technology to keep the interest of 21st century learners?
 * 4) Am I making myself available for help?

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Some schools will have all of these factors in place and will be high on the scale of academic success. On the other side of the scale, the video clip (left) illustrates a school, Richmond High, where some changes will need to be made to start seeing a positive impact.

Unfortunately, every city has a Richmond High, where only a small percent of students are graduating and even a smaller percent are moving onto college. Sadly, that second small percent sometimes are students who start higher learning with limited academic skills. They are most likely to need remedial courses in order to get to a point where they are able to take those that count towards their degree. This can be a very frustrating time for these students, and we feel that one of the issues they are dealing with is not ever being able to identify their learning style or preference.

Most educators will claim that over sixty percent (60) of learners are visual learners. We feel ThingLink has the capability to keep the interest of this large group of visual learners by providing plenty to look at. Needs of other types of learners can also be addressed. With paid plans (see plans below), ThingLink interactive video is available and contains clickable hotspots to include videos and music. Hotspots appear for the viewer during play, giving an option to explore the embedded content, while pausing the video in the background. The tactile learners can be included by letting them click on the hotspots.

All students can be drawn into learning with ThingLink, allowing them to learn basic skills, while not allowing for frustration to settle in so easily.

** More Fun With ThingLink ** media type="custom" key="26549360" align="left"

We’ve included one more thing (left) for you to explore and hopefully get you thinking about ways to integrate ThingLink into teaching and learning. We believe ThingLink will provide ways to keep your students interested and engaged.

**Resources** Twitter [] Facebook [] Pinterest [] ThingLink Blog []
 * Social Media Resources about ThingLink: **

** ThingLink Education Resources: **
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** Where to purchase or acquire ** []



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