Reading Reflection #7

An important part of Project Based Learning is to promote discussion by posing questions. The discussions that occur in the classroom can be broken down into three levels throughout the project. The first level is teacher to teacher discussion. By talking with other teachers, more ideas can be thought of for the project and any problems in previous lessons can be modified. Teachers can even use the Internet to communicate with one another if they don't have the time to meet face-to-face that often. Tools such as wiki's and blogs help to stay up to date with other teachers about the project. The next level of classroom discussion is student to student. As students engage in their projects, they should be talking with one another about the project in different ways. By talking with other students, their communication skills will also improve, which is crucial in teamwork. The communication will also promote learning by challenging each other and asking questions. The last level is teacher to student communication. This, of course, is the most common type in most classrooms. In project based learning, however, it is really used the least. Websites or blogs can replace the lectures by posting deadlines and announcements for the students.

During a project, students will be going in many different directions. It is important for the teacher to keep track of where they are headed and check in on their progress. By asking questions to the students, the teacher can determine if he/she needs to offer any suggestions or make adjustments. There are four kinds of checking-in questions that center around the information that is being asked about. The first one, procedural, involves questions that ask about staying on schedule, materials, and times. These questions also help to track progress and remind students of deadlines. The second type of questions relates to teamwork. Questions that could be asked would be, How are team members getting along? Is one student carrying too much of the load for the whole team? and Are students able to manage conflict themselves, or do they need my help? The third type of questioning is about understanding. This involves listening to students, asking probing questions, and observing teams. The last type is self-assessment. These questions will help the teacher to find out what the students are thinking about the project. It will also allow for the opportunity of reflection and feedback.

When optimizing the use of technology, students will benefit in various ways. By relying more on the Internet to gain information (such as through blogs or wiki's), students can learn at their own pace. Some students find that the teacher goes to fast or is too boring; by putting up information where students can access it at any time, they can better understand the material. It also allows students to connect and collaborate with the outside community and even experts. People who may be far away can still be communicated with through tools such as Skype and email. Students can also stay on track better through organization devices and online deadlines, where they can access it at any time.

When it comes to project based learning, there are certain 21st century skills that can either make or break a project. The first one is troubleshooting, which distinguishes effective project managers. Teachers should explain to students that since they are doing a real world project, they should expect real world challenges. When a student comes to a setback, they should learn from it to see what they need to change or work on in order to correct it. Teamwork is another 21st century skill that is crucial in a project based learning classroom. Throughout the project, teams will encounter problems, so it is important for the teacher to make sure to pay close attention so he/she can assist them when needed. Students are most likely going to disagree about ideas at one point throughout the project, so they need to know that opinions and new ideas are valued rather than put down.

This chapter relates to my project because I think it's really important to ask good questions to get the students engaged. This is a crucial component to keep in mind when actually doing a project, and could definitely be used in ours. By asking questions, students can think more deeply about a concept and become more interested. Also, by students asking each other questions it will promote a trusting environment. I would have students post questions on a blog, for our project, so that they don't need to worry about students not agreeing with their idea.