Fall+2014+SpicyNodes+Module+Page

Cool Tool Blast: SpicyNodes While working with SpicyNodes, we couldn't help but envision a heaping pile of delicious, spicy noodles. Now, put your own "noodle" to work on our SpicyNodes Cool Tool Blast journey!

//What is SpicyNodes? // SpicyNodes (http://www.spicynodes.org):
 * A virtual, graphic organizer to present information
 * May include text, links, photos, and other types of media
 * Information is placed into "nodes" which are then integrated into a visual format similar to that of a Bubble map
 * Creates a 3-dimensional map that can be transitioned, enlarged or reduced, and adjusted with the click of a mouse

//What are the Benefits of SpicyNodes? //


 * SpicyNodes allows users to connect their ideas together through an interactive map
 *  The “nodes” lets individuals easily browse the concepts highlighted in the presentation
 * Optional sound effects
 * The ability to manipulate the “nodes"
 * The map format and functions appeal to visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners, all while meeting the students' needs for 21st century technologies

//What are the Downfalls of SpicyNodes? //
 * SpicyNodes may be incompatible on certain tablets
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5;">Significant lag time when manipulating the "nodes;" patience is required
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5;">Keep the information in each "node" short; long paragraphs don't work well!

//<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 170%;">SpicyNode Examples //

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 110%;">Watch our YouTube SpicyNodes tutorial below! <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 170%;">media type="youtube" key="9R103XNOxGI" width="560" height="315"

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 14px;">Below, manipulate the SpicyNode that we created.

media type="custom" key="26689798"

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 110%;">Check out our Spicy Node "Noodle Dance" lesson focusing on The Scientific Method below!

media type="custom" key="26689664"

//<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 22px;">How can I use SpicyNodes in my classroom? //

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; line-height: 1.5;">1) Students can create concept maps to brainstorm new ideas or break down complex ideas. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">2) Students can create thinking maps to help support visualization of narratives. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; line-height: 1.5;">3) Students can develop informational maps to help orient factual information in texts. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; line-height: 1.5;">4) With assistance from SpicyNodes maps, students will guide themselves through the scientific process. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">5) Students can follow problem solving strategies as outlined by the guidance of SpicyNodes. Examples and videos are included so that students can participate in problem solving. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">6) Students can visually explore parts of the world while becoming spatially and geographically aware of their global neighbors.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 130%;">Student Examples **
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">English Language Arts **
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Science **
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Mathematics **
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Social Studies **

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">1) Teachers can engage students by using SpicyNodes as a virtual thinking map to facilitate students’ critical thinking skills. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">2) Teachers can use SpicyNodes as a way to teach the relationship between newly introduced vocabulary words and language by visually showing how they are connected. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">3) Teachers can integrate SpicyNodes in instruction by illustrating routine, sequential learning processes such as The Scientific Method. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">4) Teachers can rethink the way they “lesson plan” and venture to share the straight-forward, L-driven process of mathematics with students in a R-driven manner. They can flow through the way they solve problems by leading students through each “node.” <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; line-height: 1.5;">5) Teachers can combine elements of Google Earth with SpicyNodes and make cross-cultural connections by using the node map to “travel,” learn, and discover parts of the world and history.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 130%;">Teacher Examples **
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">English Language Arts **
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Science **
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Mathematics **
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Social Studies **

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 170%;">Credits

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Pasta Clipart. Retrieved September 8, 2014 from http://www.musthavemenus.com/image/pasta-clipart.html

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Steve Spangler Science. 2013. Dancing Spaghetti. Retrieved September 8, 2014, from: []

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">The90stvfan. 2013, January 3. PB & J Otter: Butter Does The Noodle Dance. Retrieved September 8, 2014 from []