Technology can be
used to explain a child’s knowledge by playing on their strengths. Technology can be used to help create project
management tools like list, rubrics, and templates. Like we use our blogs in this project based
learning, we use them to communicate with each other to make sure we are on
track. Students can use blogs to keep
track of their progress and follow their progress. Some other online recourses, ProfilerPro,
SurveyMoney and Zoomerang, can also be used to help communicate with other
group members or help reflect on their own thoughts. These websites are used to make surveys where
students can evaluate and reflect on their progress, time management and
learning progress.
Motivation is so
important for keeping students interested and preparing their minds; especially
on these longer project bases learning lessons.
A great way to do so is by activating students’ prior knowledge and
having the students build off of what they know so they can ask more
questions. A great tool for teachers and
students it the Know-Want to learn (questions)-Learned chart, K-W-L for
short.
The first
fundamental step of teaching is to think about knowledge and skills students
need in so they can function independently or with others throughout a
project. Students can create these
questions and written them, along with their current knowledge on a K-W-L
chart; a table students apply their current knowledge to create questions that
students use to gain more knowledge.
This is a great was for students to take charge of their independence. Students need to first know what they are
doing, and the purpose of each lesson.
To help students activate this prior knowledge pre-assessments which
helps “set the stages” for independent exploration and sharing of the finds.
Demonstrating what
you want or need students to do is a key step for students to explain their
knowledge especially when using new technology.
Students need time to explore and understand the new technology given to
them. If you, as a teacher, do not have
the proper knowledge on the technology needed for a project, going or
collaborating with a staff member or specialist who does is better to increase
the students learning opportunity. Since
two minds are better than one, working with more than one teacher can bring new
ideas to the table.
Connecting what
students already know what they are interested in can be intertwined with all
subjects included in their project, these are ways to get a deeper level of
thinking for students. Giving students
chances to brainstorm will push students to go deeper into their understanding
of the project.
This chapter has
provided methods that help to develop students’ drive for understanding and
knowledge of a project, based upon what they already know. These tools also prep students for further independent
work with the use of technology, planning and reflective tools, that promote
independence and self-monitoring. I want
to find other ways we, as a class with my future students, can utilize blogs
and other monitoring tools to help gain a more independent, self-sustaining work environment.
I liked where you talked about motivation with students in a long-term project. In order to be engaged and excited about a project, students need to be motivated. As you said, activating prior knowledge is a great way to do so. When students start to think of experiences that they've had that relates to the project, they can use that experience to put knowledge towards the project. This way, they will feel that they are really a part of the project and know that their input matters. By relating to real life events throughout the entire project, students can be continously motivated to keep up with their project to achieve the best outcome possible. Motivation is key for PBL!
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