What do you mean, the Best of Both Worlds?

As you become more enthusiastic about technology, don't leave the best of our conventional materials and strategies behind! Adding digital tools does not mean abandoning our conventional tools. Rather, we need to become adept at choosing the best tool for the job.

Ask yourself, what possibilities and flexibility are built into each tool?

In other words, take the bus when you need it, but don't fly a jet to the corner store.

Explore our 'Best of Both Worlds' examples to see more...

Best of Both Worlds #1: Art

Hand-drawn art provides a tactile, free-form experience, while the computer art program gives students an endless canvas and unlimited edits, plus the ability to zoom in to add detail.

Best of Both Worlds #2: Comics

Sketching his work gives this student unique style and control over his comic characters and scenes. Then he uses Comic Life software to add special effects for text and layout.

Best of Both Worlds #3: Exploration

Hands-on experiences are highly sensory and personal, while digital environments like the web bring distant worlds to our doorsteps. We use guest speakers (human and otherwise) and a multitude of web sites to add richness to our marine science explorations.

Best of Both Worlds #4: Math

Math manipulatives provide an amazing opportunity for hands-on exploration.
With physical manipulatives, students build up and balance three-dimensional objects, solve problems with limited sets and more. On the computer, the blocks don't slip around, items can be glued, re-colored or cloned, and users can zoom in or out on their creation.



When we do pattern block activities, our students have a choice of which tool to use. We usually offer a challenge, like, "In the end, tell us what fraction of your creation is yellow." Students have a variety of creative ways to solve these challenges, and their creations are equally diverse, from patterns to random displays, to figurative art.