The Seeing Reason mapping tool allows a user to create diagrams or "causal maps." These maps help students understand the information in the investigation of a problem. Students organize the factors that influence or affect a problem and show how these factors interact with each other in cause-and-effect relationships. The tool supports cycles of investigation where students gather what they know, organize that knowledge into a map, and then investigate whether their initial concepts are supported by evidence.
Type of Material:
Interactive simulation and tutorial
Recommended Uses:
This tool can be used by elementary grades through college students. It can also be used by University professors to create documents to use in face-to-face or online classes.
Technical Requirements:
Macromedia Flash* Player* 7.0 or later version
Identify Major Learning Goals:
The goals for students are to: 1)map out cause and effect in different situations and 2) visually analyze and organize the selected cause and effect relationship. The goal for teachers is to have a visual reference point for conversing with students about their reasoning.
Target Student Population:
Depending on it use and presentation, elementary through university levels.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
Having an understanding of cause and effect and some knowledge of mapping an labeling techniques would benefit the users.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
The site offers a demonstration model to try out the tool, project examples including eight detailed unit plans from K through 12 and four projects developed by teachers Grade 5 through 12. Information on planning a project, implementing a project and assessing the completed work is addressed under instructional strategies.
Concerns:
The representations can be quite complex and not especially easy to understand.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
Both students and teachers can access the mapping tool, once the free online registration takes place. This tool has possibilties for both student and teacher creation of graphic displays of both simple and complex cause-effect situations. In developing a new project a key prompt asks, "What question will your students be asked to answer in this project?" This is important and sets the stage for cause and effect mapping and interdisciplinary investigation. Teachers are able to assign team names and specific students to specific teams. Each team has access to its own map for work. Describing the factors and identifying the factor relationships are two key components for completing the mapping. These steps and HOW TO DO THEM need to be made very clear to the students. This information is addressed under instructional strategies.
Concerns:
The graphic resulting from complex situations is not always easy to read or articulate for young students.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
The website provides clearly labeled links to major navigational elements at the top of each page. Within each tabbed area breadcrumbs that show the navigation you have taken are displayed. The information about the Seeing Reason Tool and how to use it are clearly explained.
Concerns:
Time with the tutorial and practice are necessary in order to use the tool effectively.
Other Issues and Comments:
Intel has a well-designed site with many supporting materials.
Creative Commons:
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