An
important part of project based learning is communication or discussion;
discussion can take place face-to-face, over the phone, letters, email, blogs,
and websites. Discussion that occurs in
project based learning, in project based learning discussion is broken down
into three levels, the first being teacher to teacher. Teacher to teacher discussion is discussion
or collaboration on the growth development, planning, or creation of a project. Discussion between colleagues doesn’t have to
take place face-to-face, within a district, I can take place anywhere around the
world via blogs or wiki’s where teachers can keep each other up-to-date and
share ideas. The next level is
student-to-student, student collaboration with each other to helps the spread of
ideas and help on their projects.
Students to student discussion also help build teamwork skills. The third level of discussion is the most
common in the standard classroom but takes place the least during project based
learning. Student to teacher discussion
is minimal due to the increase in technology blogs and wiki’s are used more in
place of lectures.
The
term “checking in” on students during a project is not always taken well by the
students but it is very important as teacher.
Checking in is a way for teachers to make sure students projects are on
track, on schedule, all materials are readily available and students have an
understanding of the materials at hand.
Checking in is to make sure that, as a teacher, you are giving and
making the right information and materials available and it there is a problem
or the goals for the project are not heading in the right direction, it’s a
time where adjustments can be made.
Online surveys are a great ways
for students to also make sure their goals for the project are being met.
By
optimizing the use of technology, students are optimizing their learning
potential for their project based learning.
Using blogs and other websites, students are able to spread and find ideas
outside of their own class, in the community or around the world. Also, blogs and websites are constant and can
be accessed at anytime so students can work at their own pace.
When
given a project based learning assignment, students should be told there are
certain expectations, like any assignment, these expectations need to be
met. A 21st century skill
that expect is troubleshooting. This is problems
within groups and students attitude towards this project. To help manage the troubles within a group,
students must be given tips and tools to help the group deal with any problems
themselves.
This
chapter greatly relates to our own projects.
In regards to discussion and communication, we, as students, use out
blogs as a way of communication. We
communicate with our members of our groups more than we do our instructor. The blogs help us keep track of what needs to
be done and that we are on schedule, the blogs are also a way for our
instructor to check in on our progress.
I like where you talked about students checking in throughout the project. Even though, like you mentioned, students don't always like checking it, it does provide the teacher with a good idea of not only what the students understand, but also where they seem a little stuck. It really stuck out to me where you said that online surveys are a good tool to use for students to check in. By just answering some questions, the students won't really feel like they are checking in. The teacher can gain insight by their responses and determine the progress they have made so far.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of using online surveys for checking in with students. This is a good way because some students may not want to say if there are problems within their group. By doing this online the students aren't pressured by their peers to write good things about their group while they are sitting right next to them. This could be done at home or during the school day. It can be a short survey that will not take up too much time of the students but would give a lot of feedback.
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