Critical Thinking with Alice
Marie Sontag, PhD - mesontag@gmail.com

Critical Thinking with Alice is a curriculum design model for the use of the 3D animation program, Alice, with middle school students. Based on the learning theory of SCCS (social and cognitive-connectedness schemata), the model’s design interweaves the construct of TPACK (technology, pedagogy, and content knowledge) within the 21st century skills framework developed by The Partnership for 21st Century Skills (P21). The goal is to develop engaging lessons that engender critical thinking, while promoting proficiency in core subject areas. To view the article Dr. Sontag presented at Duke University on Critical Thinking with Alice for the Alice Symposium in June 2009, click here.

This project seeks to gather lessons in each of the core subject areas for grades 5-8 that focus on at least one controversial issue in each grade level and area. Lessons will include directions enabling teachers and students to create an Alice 3D world without any previous Alice knowledge. All lessons will contain the following materials:

1. Content Standard Correlations to National and/or State Content Standards
2. At least one interdisciplinary theme correlation from the Partnership for 21st Century Skills Framework
3. Primary source documents regarding the controversial issue
4. Background information and world connections
5. Student directions that enable students to create their own 3D worlds without any prior Alice knowledge
6. Sample Alice world relating to the project
6. Sample student Alice worlds relating to the project
7. Downloads for the project's customized Alice gallery