Ways to build connections and branch out
beyond the classroom is through technology, especially through medians, 21st
century tools, where ideas and works are shared to some many people all over
the world. Tools and applications such
as Skype, blogs, wikis, and podcasts allow peoples’ voices and opinions to be
heard. When students know and understand
what they are doing will be heard and recognized in some way, it is a great
motivator for students when they are presented with a real audience. And when they reach out to this really
audience some will reach back; experts, other students, and interested members
of the community. 21st
century technology, blogs, Skype, etc., are excellent ways for get in tough
with the experts when working on projects.
The EAST Initiative Model, Environmental
and Spatial Technology, is a group that focuses on the use of technology to
help solve real life problems in the classroom.
The EAST is a four part system; holding students responsible for their
learning, or student-driven learning; authentic project-based learning where
students work to solve real-world problems in and outside their communities;
technology as a tool, appropriate technology used by professional counterparts
to use in solving real-world problems; and collaboration, when working on these
authentic problems students should learn to work in groups instead of on an
individual basis so the flow of ideas of more open.
When students take charge of their own
learning and “lead” their projects, students become more motivated and
encourage themselves and others to do the best possible job and prove
themselves to the world. When students
pick their topic of interest it sparks a desire to learn as much as they can
about it, it helps create a passion for learning that hopefully they care on
through life. Through PBL’s students
must change the way they think, they must learn to wear many different hats:
investigator, scientist, reporter, and teacher.
This chapter talks a lot about ways to
connect and communicate with experts and using the tools that they use, we are
doing very similar things in this class.
We have used Skype to talk to and expert and we learn how to utilize
these tools in our future classes. One
of our first group activities was to set up a lesson where we used Skype to
connect with students from another country.
We are learning to use these communication tools to build and explain
our knowledge on PBL’s.
The part that stuck out most to me in your reflection was where you talked about students taking the lead of their projects. I definitely agree with you that when they do take charge, they become more motivated. If they know they are in control of their project, they will feel more responsible and rely less on the teacher. This will also build trust between the teacher and the student because the students work on their projects knowing that the teacher trusts them enough to be the leader. Also, when the students are able to choose their own project, they are going to be more interested than if the teacher were to pick the project. Because they get to choose something that they are interested about and passionate about, they will work harder and know that they are working towards a purpose.
ReplyDeleteI think that when students lead their own projects they will develop 21st century skills like problem solving and teamwork. Having the students take charge will engage them. But the teachers should also be there to guide the students and give the the tools and options for completing their projects. Also I liked how you said the students will be motivated "when they are presented with a real audience". I agree that the students will be more engaged when they know they have an end goal that will influence someone.
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