reading reflection 11

Project based learning, to me, is a great way to explain learning opportunities for students and teachers.  With the advancements in technology, 21^st-century technology begins to because an important role in our society.  When project-based learning takes place within the classroom, students become more resourceful and hopefully use technology in a different way, more as an educational tool instead of the way they use it.  Using technology for educational purposes in and outside of the classroom open up so many doors, meet new people from all around the world, also students can use it as a means of feed back and sharing of ideas and information.  “Bringing you project home” means a way of using what students are learning in the class out side of the class to help solve real world problems.  

This chapter gives ways of expanding what we do in the classroom to the life outside.  

Hey Emily! We're in the computer lab on the 3rd floor of Sangren. We'll be here until our presentation time you can come whenever! :) See you soon!

What we still need

we still need to add in the glc's and a link to this blog

tomorrow

Okay so, I work tomorrow morning till 12, I have an exam from 12:30-2:30...i'm thinking it will only taking me an hour i could probably work on it after 1:30 or 2:00.  i am done with my second page if anyone cares to look at it.

final inspiration

reflection 11

When I think about using the project based learning approach I really think about a ton of opportunities for higher learning. In the 21st-century technology plays a huge role in every ones lives. Even our young students. Its going to take a lot of hard work and planning but these project far out-way the traditional learning styles that are being used. By the end of these projects you should feel like you and your students have been on an amazing learning journey together. Don't let the connections you have made with your colleges and others end just because the project is over. continue collaborating with them and search for improvements that can be made. yes there will be some. Share you insights with others so that they can learn from you just as you learned from other during the course of the project. A really good idea is to create a project library. The key thing here is to enjoy the journey.

The concepts in this chapter relate to our project because hopefully we take what we have learned here and use it in the future. Hopefully we did enjoy the journey.

reflection 10

It is very important during a project to set aside time for reflection after you "wrap up" your project. Taking time to reflect can help students to feel good about their accomplishments. Reflection is also an essential part of learning. Looking back can reveal things that students might not thought about otherwise. Reflection can also give students time to look back at how they overcame obstacles when the work was hard. Reflection also lets students see how gratifying the learning journey can be by recalling positive experiences.

Many schools identities are tied to their traditions. These schools share an expectation of excellence. why now have a school that is known for its exemplary project work. This is started with awareness. Younger students will be ready for the learning that awaits them. This can help the community to value and notice the accomplishments of the students and the community will show support.

Celebrate your students work. Show off what the students have done to the community using any method you would like. Throw a party or and event, or create a blog. just get it out there. Classroom displays can be a great way to celebrate work.

These concepts are related to our project because our students will surly be reflecting on the project they have created and their new friends. The students work should be celebrated and the parents and community should support what they have accomplished and attend their restaurant.

Refleciton 9

Establishing anchors is an important part in the students journey through the project. First teachers should have found out about their students prior understanding and knowledge using activities such as K-W-L. Anchors help to see where students started and how far they are going to meet their learning goals. This is a time to implement any rubrics that you have created to generate meaningful feedback for students. Even in traditional projects teachers want a reliable way to assess how well students have grasped the key content. Also you can always simply ask students what they have learned. sometimes just having students talk to you can be the best way to see what they have learned. Teachers can also have students create something new. This gives teachers the opportunity to look for a transfer of knowledge. Can the students take what they have learned and apply it in a new context? The concepts in this chapter will be used in our project because we will have to assess the children on what they have learned during the entire course of the project.

Reflection 8

During PBL it is necessary to branch out and build connections beyond the classroom. Digital tools make this very easy. Integrating technology can help students reach an authentic audience which can act as a great motivator. Making connections beyond the classroom can help students get into contact with experts. This can result in huge benefits for the students and the experts. This also provides and opportunity to expand the learning circle. This doesn't just mean to the school down the street, students can connect with distant countries and continents. Digital tools also help with communicating findings. When students conduct research or want to raise awareness they can harness their 21st-centurey skills to share their findings or advocate for change.

The Environmental and Spatial Technologies (EAST) Initiative network of schools have been demonstrating the benefits of using technology for a real purpose for more than twelve years. They have done this to solve problems and make changes in their communities. The EAST model is built on four essential ideas. First is that students need to be responsible for their own learning. Second is that students should be focused on solving real problems in their community. Third students need access to the relevant technologies that professionals use to solve real problems. Fourth students need to collaborate in teams to pursue these projects, they accomplish way more as a team than one person could do. Teachers must be trained and supported. EAST teachers must be ready to let student take the lead.

Teachers may find that there students are more than capable of taking the lead on projects. This can begin by them coming up with a project idea that they care about.

These concepts directly relate to our project as we have our students branching out use ePals to learn about a new culture of their choice.

Reflection 7

There are many levels of classroom discussions. The first level is teacher to teacher. Teacher to teacher discussions will range from questions about procedure to questions about assessment. Student to student discussions involves students talking about their learning experiences as they unfold. This is a good way to teach students about team work. Teacher to student discussions are also important. This is a great opportunity to push students towards higher thinking.

Checking in on students is very important. You want to make sure that students are staying on schedule and that team members are getting along. Teachers also want to make sure that students are understanding. To find out what students are thinking about the project teachers should as questions that encourage self-assessment.

Optimizing the use of technology is important in project planning. Teachers need to make sure that their technology choices are helping the students reach their goals. If students are responding positively to the technology then higher levels of learning will take place. Sometimes it can help to ask students what kind of technologies they would like to use. You never know what kind of technologies your students may have prior experiences with that could help the project. You want to make sure the technology is helping the students reach their goals and stay organized and that they have easy access to it.

Trouble shooting and managing conflicts are two 21st century skills that can make or break a project. Both of these topics involve teachers and students overcoming conflicts. Teamwork is also a big part of these skills. When projects connect students teachers have to pay close attention and be sure to keep things running smoothly.

During this chapter we have been working as a group and teamwork has played a very important role. Technology has also been a big part of this project and it all helped with the big picture.

website

i will be working on it all night to get it done. If you guys have any questions or anything text me at 2699036059.

Yes!!! I have one more exam at 7:15 tonight then plan on finishing everything before I go to bed. I believe our presentation is at 3:30.... keep checking back with the blog and I'll do that same so that we can communicate and finish!! :)

Done by tonight?

Can we have the website done by tonight so we can touch up stuff and look at it before we present it? When is our presentation?

website

Hey guys! Im working on my pages and have a few questions/requests! :)

Emily-- are you still planning on creating a lesson of some sort that deals with pricing as well as one that deals with budgeting? I'm working on my preparing for the restaurant page right now and if you are planning on doing something about pricing I will put it before the creating menu's part. :)

Tom-- could you post the final concept map either on the blog and/or even just replace the old one thats on our homepage with the final one?

Thanks guys! I think its all coming together great!

Web page

Emily your page looks so good!! I love it! Just make sure you put your email under your name at the bottom! :)

website

Okay, I have one of the pages, kitchen safety, nearly finished if you guys want to take a look at it and let me know if I need to add anything else to it.

Lab tonight

Hey guys! Unfortunately I won't be at lab tonight :/ I will continue working on my website pages this week/weekend. Maybe we could all meet sometime to work on it together? If you guys have any questions when working on it today just email me or put it on the blog! :) Sorry again I couldn't make it.

Reading Reflection #11

When using the project-based learning approach, results occur that open new doors and create connections. Each project that is created links to previous ones, as well as ones to come. Students and teacher can reflect on their projects and determine what worked, what didn't work, and what they could change. This reflection of the project not only offers students to extend their learning but also gives the teacher input on aspects he/she might alter for years to come. Also, lessons or activities from one project could also be useful in a future project. The project-based approach allows teachers to collaborate with other colleagues, which can even be extended after the project. Teachers can learn from other teachers as well as help critique lessons and activities to help the students learn to the fullest extent.

After a project is complete, the best thing to do is share it! There are various ways in which teachers can help get their projects out. The first way is through a network, so that teachers from around the world can see your project for inspiration, ideas, and even to give feedback. Another way is to create a project library. This can be done by creating a place to archive project plans, such as in the school library. Another way is through an archive on the Web. This is a pretty popular approach for teachers and is a great way to show off student work and even a reflection of the project.

This chapter relates to our project because just like the book talked about, we are making a Web page to share it with others! It's pretty cool to read that this is exactly what real teachers are doing with their projects. It makes it even more meaningful to create our websites to know that other teachers will be viewing it and possibly even using it in their own classrooms. I definitely agree with the book that it is a great way to show off what the project is made up of and to get to personalize it the way we want.

Website Outline

Introduction/Getting Started (all)

-Podcast

-Cook book lesson plan

Math (Emily)

-Measurements (fractions)

Kitchen Safety (Emily)

-Appliance Safety lesson plan

-Kitchen Safety movie

-Food Safety/Sanitizing

Choosing the Culture (Tom)

-School Survey lesson plan

-Florence, Italy movie

E-pals (Tom)

-E-pals lesson plan

-Map

-Google Docs Assignment

Preparing for the restaurant (Paige)

-Creating Menus lesson plan

-Pricing

-Creating a Dish movie

-Budgets

The Restaurant (Paige)

reading reflection 10

            It is very important to set aside time for reflection.  Setting aside time for reflection is a time when students can look back at all they learned during their project.  Reflection is a time where students can look at what works for them and they can do to improve or change for future projects.

            Students need time to reflect and elaborate because students need to see and understand the progress they have made during their project, not just the material they have covered and hopefully mastered but skills they have learn along the way, soft skills like time management, team work, and problem solving.   Time for students to reflect and elaborate is a time for teachers to hear how students viewed the project and what needs to be changed for future project done by bot the teacher and student.

            There is always one aspect of a school that rises above the rest; sports, music, academics, math & science, or the arts.  A community stands behind their school and supports that school because of what they are good at, they hold this tradition.  When teachers create traditions students will stand behind them and support each other. 

            Because of the higher energy and higher-level thinking that goes into project-based learning, students put a great amount of energy into their own learning.  Their successes should be celebrated.  Celebrating students’ success can be as simple as showing off their work either in the class or through a blog or website. 

            At the end of this project we are putting all the work we have done through out this project into a single website, a place for us to show our work and effort we put into everything.  During our meeting with the instructors of I think we are given a time to reflect on what took place during our projects.  

Reading Reflection #10

When it comes to Project Based Learning, setting aside time for reflection is a crucial part of the process. By students being able to reflect on their progress within a project, they can feel good about what they have accomplished as well as revisit ideas that they have already learned, to further understand them. When reflecting back on a part of a project, students can see if there are any areas for improvement and learn from any mistakes they may have made. Reflections show what students have learned, the growth that took place during their learning, and what exactly they want to continue learning in future projects. The true purpose of a project is revealed through the reflection of it, which students can easily see. Reflections can include a variety of questions, but the end focus should be on the positive experiences that took place during the project.

It is crucial for students to not only reflect on their project, but also to elaborate on it. By the end of the project, students should have an open mind about what they want to find out next. They are able to use concepts from their past projects to help explore new ideas. Reflection is a great way for students to elaborate on their existing projects as well, when used throughout the project. This breaks that project up into smaller parts for the students to reflect back on and to apply previous strategies to new ones. A good thing for a teacher to ask to help students elaborate is to ask them where they want to go. Of course, students are going to give a variety of answers, but at least the teacher can see what they already know as well as what interests them.

Many schools have certain identities and traditions that they are known for. It is a big part of the community and is an example of the pride that comes from each individuals town. Project based learning is a great way for schools to establish a tradition. Each year, the community, teachers, and students could have the chance to come together for a specific purpose. Younger students will also look forward to what they will be able to help out with when they get older. Projects are a great way to get the community involved and also to reach out to experts to gain even more knowledge on a topic. The more the community sees the accomplishments that students make through their projects, the more supportive they will be. Encouraging outside help is something that is crucial in projects, so teachers should invite parents and friends in to help as much as possible. This way, everyone in the community can benefit from project based learning rather than just the students. By making projects a traditions in some communities, they also have the advantage to look back at previous projects to help with current ones.

No matter what happens throughout a project, it is important to make sure the students hard work and effort is celebrated. Project based learning involved many higher-level thinking skills, so the learning that takes place should of course be acknowledged and rewarded. Different ways to celebrate projects include showing off the student work, putting on an event, creating a blog or website page, or even having a party.

This chapter relates to my own project that we have been working on because it talked about getting parents and the community involved. This reminded me of when we made a podcast to share with parents what our class has been doing. Podcasts are just one example of how teachers can connect with parents and also to invite them into the classroom. Teachers could even make a YouTube movie like we did, to get others involved that may live out of the community. No matter what way you use to connect with others outside of school, encouraging the community to help with the project and get involved is an important part of project based learning.