Project # 9

Topic #4 Group Conversation Video

Blog Post #9

                    What Can Teachers and Students Teach Us About Project Based Learning?

This week we were challenged to view 5 articles or videos and answer the above question. My first article was Seven Essentials for Project-Based Learning by John Lamer and John R. Mergendoller. They break down the most important aspects of PBL(project based learning). What stuck out the most to me was their third point, "Students Voice and Choice" (Lamer and Mergendoller). It is best to give students the ability to decide some aspect of the project for themselves. The students most also be able to relate the project to real life. To often students question whether or not what they are learning is applicable to real life. You must also put in 21st century forms of teaching critical thinking and use of technology. The point of projects is to give the students a way of teaching themselves about something that interest them along with educating their classmates.

This video about Project-Based Learning for Teachers by Tony Vincent approaches project-based learning the way everyone does, it is a way to take the Common Core standards and apply them in a fun and interesting way that asks How or Why. The idea that students take charge in their learning. It is up to them what they discover about a particular topic. Although I do feel that PBL can be a supplement for what is taught in the class. That the student will take a lesson and do a project that expands on what is discussed. So often teachers are restrained by time on what they are able to cover during a class period. Giving students the opportunity to delve deeper into study and discover things on their own could possibly spark an interest in that particular subject while improving critical thing, communication and team work skills. Just as above, you must ensure there is a purpose.

What Motivates Students Today?  and High School Teachers Meet the Challenges of PBL Implementation show that PBL is about the student. Why are we trying to implement PBL into all classrooms, it is to make students who would not normally be interested in a topic a reason to focus. If you give a student a reason to learn they will, which was also a point made in What Motivates Students Today? that students want something as a reward. If a student is giving prizes for completion of tasks or good grades there is a motivation to learn. That motivation can even come in the form of compliments for good test grades. Teachers must implement PBL's into their class wher they fit. They will not work for every class but it will involve all students and include the curriculum standards.
When discussing how each subject area must come up with unique ways of adding projects, in PBL's in Physical Education the teacher shows that you must think outside of the box to teach students. It was the goal of his project to have high school students create a workout plan for middle school students. In hopes that students will take the plans given to them and implement them at school as well as at home. The students who create the plans could also take what they learned and use it in their own life. Given the current health state of our students this is possibly the most important PBL i have read about.

Blog Post #8

                                                               Randy Pausch Last Lecture:
                                                       Achieving Your Childhood Dreams

What can we learn about learning and teaching from Randy Pausch? 
   We were required to watch a video of Professor Paush's last lecture at Carnegie Mellon University as he died on July 25, 2008. The lecture was filmed Sept. 18, 2007, Mr. Pausch is an extremely optimistic man who has an amazing outlook on life.

    There is a key statement that he made that goes hand in hand with teachers. When someone stops correcting you when you do something wrong, they have already given up. As teachers, we must never give up on our students. Over anything said, this is the most important idea. I feel a student can sense when a teacher has officially given up on them, this demoralizes the students. Why would a demoralized student want to try anymore? His other key statement is "Brick walls are there for a reason: they let us prove how badly we want things"(Randy Pausch). If there was no boundary and things were handed to you, why would there be a reason to try? This is also true for learning, if we allow our students who face a wall to give up, they will never succeed. They must have an initiative to drive themselves to go further. Along with pushing your students, be aware with how you say something to them. The same statement s can be said multiple ways, you must always ensure that the way you say something to always make them feel supported.
He created a project based class that forced students to bond and push themselves to create new and original content. They required themselves to create VR worlds and have them working. The students would present them in front of the class every few weeks and then switch team mates and do it again. Soon the class presentations caught the attention of friends and family. After a while he needed to move to the largest room he could book. He is all about getting rid of text books in masters programs. In masters they should have read all they need to read and should be working on practical functions or learning. This is a key goal I feel our education department has failed at. The fact that we face classes that require outrageous requirements that once upon getting your  degree and into the field you are not expected to do what you were taught. He felt that the best way to equip the students is to give them real life experience.
   Final notes on his lecture:
 Always push your children to do more than they think they can.
They are the first to give up on themselves, so do not let yourself give up on them.
Always learn from your students and work well with your bosses.
"Decide if you're a Tigger or an Eeyore"(Randy Pausch)
 Remember who you are teaching, ensure that your projects focus on what is effective for learning in your class. Do not let your projects focus too greatly on girls or boys, above or average students.

   

Blog Post #7

                                                            How to be the Best Learner?

1)  The best way to teach is be able to learn. I feel that how project based learning is affecting teachers is how the change based on students reactions. We always discuss using technology in project learning, yet is that the best plan for students. Recently I have had the opportunity to observe three different history classes which all do projects throughout the year to use what they learn as art work. One class in particular required the students to create a model of a person they were learning about out of a drink bottle and write a short paper about his or her life and their achievement. No matter how artistic the student was, each bottle was unique and beautiful. The research they do gives the presenter along with the other students more knowledge of each person. Would it be perceived that this is a lesser form of projects because it does not require some intelligent software. As a teacher you must learn and understand what works best for your students, along with what is going to keep them entertained and give them the largest gain of information.



2)

•    Using iMovie and the Alabama Virtual Library in Kindergarten-  Discusses how kindergarten students are creating movie trailers about books they read in class. They strive for such a level that no one would expect from someone their age. iMovie is a simple format system to create movies and add so many background images and sound effects and even music. The students fall in love and do not need further instruction on how to create videos. They also discuss how all students have access to the Alabama Virtual Library for free. This is another example to why Dr. Strange feels that Elementary aged students are more technologically advanced than collegiate students. 
• We All Become Learners- In order to become an effective teacher you must be able to learn from other. As we introduce technology students are having to teach the teacher or teach each other simply due to the fact that so many teachers are aged and are not technologically savvy. The knowledge base for technology and educators is incredibly low, many teacher who are approaching retirement grew up with type writers or simply using pen and paper. Children who are playing on iPads and iPhones from toddler ages have a greater understanding of the devices. The discoveries may occur by accident but they it gives them a greater advantage over any other generation. 
• iPads in the Classroom- Chicago Public Schools began incorporating iPads into the learning environment and have seen huge benefits. The classes that began using it saw improvements in overall assessments along with eagerness to learn. Granted there are some classes, like high school physics, that have not seen huge benefits simply because they have not found the right apps. The programs and apps that are developed for children are more numerous. 
• Top 10 Reasons to use Technology in Education -  Students love technology. It leads them to want to participate and learn more. With using electronic devices teachers can cut their work time by offering online exams so there are immediate response and no longer multiple hours of grading. Apps and games are a way to increase interest in learning. Students are longing to learn more, research more so they can know more and know it quicker while working on a project or a simple assignment. 

C4K #1

                                                                  Comments for Kids 


I began by reading a blog post by Timothy H. from Mr. Boylen's 8th grade class. His task was to write an essay about his beliefs. I found that for an 8th grader to hold the ideals he has on the big bang to be phenomenal. He would like to pursue a degree in astronomy, which i feel would be great for him. I commented saying that I find it amazing that he would understand the concept of Big Bang when I have never seen it taught in a school setting.


Marquise did an interesting post on what I perceived as an assignment about a holiday. He chose Friday the 13th. He went the simple route and listed his facts as bullet points. Some items that were included listed that there is at least one Friday the 13th while at the most three also the "Friday the 13th" franchise only released 4 out of 12 movies on the Friday the 13th. I replied that I thought it was great that he chose such an interesting topic, and that superstitions are fueled by pop culture and is a little outrageous.

Trina's blog post was the same as Marquise's. Although she chose Valentines Day. It is a beautiful day, which Trina states it is most known for hearts, chocolates, and the Roman God Cupid. She also points out that no one knows much about the origin of the holiday, it has simply been ingrained into our popular culture. I commented that it is interesting that just as there is no information about the when the holiday began, there is limited information about St. Valentine except where he was buried and that he died a martyr on February 14th.