Concept Map #2

Reading Reflection #6

Sarah Betzold

EDT 3470

Reading Reflection #6:

Project Launch- Implementation Strategies

            Technology tools can encourage students to be reflective and evaluate their own strengths because students are constantly learning how to use technology. The students are learning by doing and become more experienced after each project. It’s a great idea for students to reflect and evaluate their own strengths before and after a project. This will allow students to feel a sense of accomplishment and forces students to think about their learning. Technology tools such as blogs, ProfilerPRO, SurveryMonkey and Zoomerang are great for reflecting. Students can create their own surveys to evaluate themselves or reflect over time using a blog. Reflection and evaluation also helps teachers know if the students are on track and learning what they are supposed to be learning.

            There are several ways teachers can get students’ minds ready for a project. Getting students interested and excited about a project is very important. It’s important to lead with what students already know and encourage students to ask questions about what they don’t know. A great way to do this is by doing a Know-Wonder-Learn activity. This activity allows students to think about what they know, wonder and want to learn. It gets students excited about what they will be learning. Teachers can encourage students to explore their project topic as well. Teachers can also bring in artifacts that go along with the project a week before the students begin their projects to excite the students about what they will be learning. Technology can also be used for introductions to projects. It’s important to get students thinking about what they will be learning before they begin their projects.

            Teaching fundamentals first is extremely important. The teacher should teach students prerequisite knowledge that the students will need to know in order to successfully start their projects. Teaching a few lessons before the students begin their projects, such as using technology and key information that students will need to know is important so that students are on the right path when they start their projects. Teachers should also set the stage for independent inquiry before beginning projects. The K-W-L activity is great for that as well as encouraging students to think deeper about the topic and come up with questions they would be interested in investigating.  It’s a good idea to share the assessment rubric with students before they begin their projects as well. It will inform students of what is expected and can be used as a roadmap for their learning.

            There are many important steps teachers do take to prepare students to use technology in their projects. Demonstrating is a great way for students to learn how to work with new technology. Teachers should allow students time to explore technology and teach each other how to use the technology. It also is a great idea to collaborate with the school’s technology specialist. It’s always a good idea for the teacher to be well educated on technology so that students do not run into any problems that the teacher cannot fix. The technology specialist would definitely be able to provide support as the students are using technology for their projects.

            There are many ways to promote inquiry and deep learning. It’s important for teachers to push students thinking and guide their thinking to a deeper, more critical level. The students can brainstorm how to go about investigating questions and how to collect data. By student figuring out ways to problem solve through their own questions, it will allow students to think deeper and be a great inquiry based project.

            The concepts in this chapter relate to our projects because we are creating a unit and need to know how to launch our projects. This chapter gave me great ideas for how to get students prepared for a project. I will definitely look back at this reflection as I plan for how to introduce a project to students. 

Reflection #5

There should be some things to take into consideration before starting a project with students. Teachers will have to make sure that they know what materials they will need throughout the project. It will be important to get materials if the teacher cannot find them within the school or community. A good way to acquire materials is to send out a letter or include it in a newsletter to parents. Teachers will also need to take into account if any technology will need to be used. The teacher should be familiar with any sites and if the students need login names or passwords. Experts are also something to take into consideration. Experts may have jobs and will need to be contacted ahead of time which will give the teacher time to prepare students. Some experts may not have time to visit a classroom but the use of technology can help. Video chatting or audio chat with the class can include an expert and involve the students. Also if a teacher is using technology the staff in charge of the technology can be a great resource to the students and the teachers.
Teachers can teach students to become great managers of their own time. This is a great skill that students should be learning throughout the project because it is a skill that they will use throughout their life. Creating a project calendar that serves as a way for students to check where they are is a great tool. Putting different milestones on the calendar and sharing it with the students will help the teacher check to see if the students are on task as well as the students managing whether they are on schedule. This will allow the teacher to stay organized as well as the students as they reach certain deadlines.
The technology applications that can be used in a project is personalized web pages. Students can make their own space on the internet to collect their ideas, research, and publish their work. By doing this the students can figure out tools to use and organizational styles that will suit their page or blog the best. This is a great 21st century skill in that they are using deeper thinking and applying themselves.
I think the use of technology can be a good tool in our project. I really like the idea of giving the students freedom to make their own blogs or web pages. In our unit we could give the students the opportunity to create their own blog when we have them create their own workout plan. This could be a great way for students to conduct research and take data while at the same time giving them the space to organize their thoughts in their own way.

Reading Reflection #5

Sarah Betzold

EDT 3470

Reading Reflection #5

Project Management Strategies for Teachers and Learners

            Teachers need to think about what specific resources can be used to support their projects. There are so many tools and materials that teachers can include in their projects. It is important to think ahead about what will be needed. If a teacher does not have a certain resource, I like the idea of making a wish list and sending a newsletter home to parents. Teachers should consider if students will be working with technology and if they know how to use it. It is also a good idea to think about if students should hear from an expert on a certain topic. Since experts aren’t always able to come to the classroom, videoconferencing or virtual field trips might be something a teacher may want to consider. It is also important to think about others that can help with your project. The technology coordinator, media specialist librarian, etc. may be of great help. There are so many resources teachers can use so it is important to plan ahead in order to make sure those resources are available.

            Teachers should be effective managers and teachers should teach students how to become effective managers. Projects should allow students the opportunity to gain skills in planning, time management, leadership, organization, collaboration, responsibility, etc. I like the idea of a project calendar that can help students meet project deadlines. I think it is important to teach students to be on top of things and organized. Teachers and students need to know management skills in order to organize and complete everything that goes along with the project.

            There are several technology applications that should be considered when designing a project. Web pages, blogs and podcasts are great ways to publish students work and suit the needs of a project. However teachers should have control over what is published. Teachers should decide if the students work is ready to be put on the blog, web page, etc. The teacher should consider how these web-based applications will further students learning and what students will need to know in order to use the technology.

            The concepts in this chapter relate to our projects because we are using several resources for our projects. We are so far using Google maps, blogs, virtual penpals, podcasts, etc. We are managing technology and going to have to teach students how to do so as well. The concepts in this chapter tell us everything we need to be thinking about while planning our projects and including web applications and other recourses. It definitely helps us understand everything that goes into creating a project for students. 

Chapter 4 Reflection

Chapter 4 Reflection

There are some potential pitfalls when developing a explicit project. Some of the pitfalls would be long on activity and short on learning outcomes. I can see this pitfall being one that many teachers get hung up on. I think that many teachers want the students to have a hands on experience but sometimes if it lingers we might lose the students. Another pitfall is technology layered over traditional practice. I think this a pitfall many teachers face. Teachers may think having the students use the Internet is incorporating technology. But a main idea if the teacher wants to use technology is to make sure it is bringing students together or provide some unique way for students to create learning products.
some features that make a good project that I found to be really important to me were having students learn by doing, reach beyond school to involve others, and projects are loosely designed with the possibility of different learning paths. These features I think are the most important to me because I think that the students should have a hand in their own learning. By having them lead discussions could lead to a whole different topic or misconception that during planning you didn’t think of. I strongly believe that the students will only learn to do that by doing.
As stated earlier in the features of a good project, by students leading the learning outcomes might lead you to another topic to use for another project. Project ideas are all around the classroom or the community or a world event. Teachers can also collaborate to make their own projects.
There are certain steps or guidelines to help design a good project. The first step that should be taken is to revisit the framework. The teacher should make a list of learning objectives that they want the students to accomplish. Decide on the specific 21st century skills, which include things like creativity, critical thinking, and communication. The next step is like a KWL chart. How will this project trigger students prior knowledge, what will they want to learn, and in the end what will they end up learning. The next step is to develop the theme. The teacher will have to think of what students will want to know about. This could be triggered by the students inquiry. The last step is captivating the students. The teacher should plan on how they will engage the students from the beginning of the project.
In this chapter I can see many ways we can incorporate quality projects into our unit. I think it leaves many opportunities to integrate what the students want to know more about. Many kids love food or some kind of food. Integrating a project to do with nutrition will be a great way to start out our unit. Then after nutrition starting out the physical activity aspect of staying healthy will trigger their curiosity in knowing more information about that.

Reading Reflection #4

Sarah Betzold

EDT 3470

Chapter 4 Reading Reflection:

Strategies for Discovery

            When designing lessons, there may be potential pitfalls that a teacher has to rethink. It is important that teachers always focus on learning outcomes. Projects should be done to accomplish something. If technology is used, it should have a purpose as well. Students should not simply research something just because. It should be meaningful to the students and connect the students to what they are learning. Also, when picking themes for projects, the themes should be relevant to the students. Teachers need to remember that they should design projects that students can make connections to. It’s also important to not over script project plans. Teachers should give students room to use their critical thinking skills, problem solving skills and creativity. If students are told step by step exactly what to do, every student will come up with a very similar product and not be able to put their skills to use.

            There are several features that make a great project. Projects should be aimed to answer a question or structured for inquiry. Students should have a reason for researching and feel interested and connected to it. Projects should give students an opportunity to be creative, confident,  take risks, share ideas, self-reflect, cooperate, and allow students to bounce ideas off of each other. The main goal is for students to learn by doing and learn from any mistakes that may come up.

            Great project ideas can come from anywhere. Some of the best project ideas that I have seen have came from students themselves. If students are interested in something it can be turned into a great learning opportunity. Project ideas can also come from other teachers, current events or issues, stories, etc. Those may be good ideas but it is always important to keep in mind the potential pitfalls that I discussed earlier.

            There are quite a few steps that go into designing a project. First, it is important to look at what you want the students to learn. Teachers should make a list of their learning objectives and go from there. The next step is to imagine what you want the students to learn and understand before the project and during. Next it’s important to think about true life connections and if the project will provide meaning to the students. The theme of the project should be in some way interesting to the students. The last step is to plan out the project and make sure that the learning objectives are being met. It’s also important to figure out a way to get students interested and excited about the project.

            The concepts in this chapter relate to my project because I want to make sure I am designing my projects in the best way I can. These concepts help us structure our projects and know if we are missing something. For instance, after reading this chapter, I realized my project might not be very exciting for students. I think I need to find a way to get students excited about staying healthy. Our goal is to make a great project and this chapter gave us many great ideas on how to do so. 

Reading Reflection #3

When finding the big idea of a project it's important to think of the outside world. Students will enjoy learning more if they know they are solving a problem that pertains to outside the classroom. If the students know what they are doing will result in helping the community it is more likely the "big idea" will stick in their head. I think expanding learning outside of the classroom is a great way to capture the big idea with out reading straight out of a textbook.
The last three steps of Bloom's taxonomy will really help develop 21st century skills. They are analyze, evaluate, and create. I see these three things as way for students to control their learning. Like having them be scientists and make up their own science experiments. These are skills that are used in the 21st century like problem solving on their own.
There are many definitions of the word "literacy" but I like how the book said that ultimately literacy ends up letting the students become independent, aware and productive citizens. I would have never thought of literacy that way. From previous classes I think of literacy as students gaining comprehension and fluency in reading and writing. But as the book said ultimately they are becoming more independent and aware of things around them and productive citizens. These are skills that are seen in the 21st century.
There are 8 essential learning functions that will help promote 21st century skills. They are ubiquity, deep learning, making things visible and discussable, expressing ourselves, sharing ideas, building communities, collaboration, research, project management and reflection and iteration. I think all of these can be used interchangeably or simultaneously. Like deep learning can take part in reflection. Students will be using deep learning to gain insight on what a lesson is and they might even work collaboratively which builds learning communities.
I think many points in this chapter will relate to our project. The students can work together to and also explore the outside world. In our project they will be learning what nutrition is like in other countries. So this is 21st century related because they are connecting what is being learned in the classroom to real people in another culture.

Reading Reflection #3

Sarah Betzold

EDT 3470

Reading Reflection # 3:

            When creating a project and finding “the big idea,” the curriculum should be considered. It’s important  for teachers to look over the standards as well and make sure they understand exactly what they want the students to learn. Working together with other teachers can help teachers find “the big idea for a project.

            It is also important to consider 21^st Century skills, which includes attitudes, habits of mind and important skills. Using Bloom’s Taxonomy is a great way to promote higher-order of thinking.  Bloom’s Taxonomy helps teachers organize objectives from a lower to higher-order of thinking. 21^st century literacy is also important. According to Boss and Krauss, “literacy boils down to learning to be independent, aware, and productive citizens.” It’s important for students to develop 21^st century literacy skills so that students can learn new information and be able to understand and apply it.

            Essential learning functions support student learning. For instance, making things visible, discussable, sharable, and researchable are great ways to help students learn. Students should have opportunities to plan, organize, express themselves and reflect on all points of view relating to what they are learning. The concepts in this chapter relate to our projects because we are incorporating many of these ideas into our project. For instance, in our unit we will a keeping in mind the “big idea,” using Bloom’s Taxonomy, exposing students to literature, research, and giving students opportunities to work together and engage in learning.  

Virtual Penpal Assignment

Virtual Penpal Assignment

ePal Map

ePal Map
The students will communicate with other 3rd graders from Nigeria, Africa through ePals. They will ask questions dealing with nutrition and physical activity to gain insight into another culture. Students can use Google Maps to see how the climate may affect the food grown in Africa.

web evaluations

Hey Katie! These are the three internet cites I'm evaluating. Just wanted to let you know so we don't do the same ones.

http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/guidelines/children.html

http://kidshealth.org/kid/stay_healthy/food/pyramid.html

http://www.healthychildren.org/english/healthy-living/nutrition/Pages/default.aspx

Concept Map #1

Concept Map 1

Reading Reflection #2

Sarah Betzold

EDT 3470

2-2-12

Reading Reflection #2:

Creating a Professional Learning Community

            Jeff Whipple, a Canadian middle school teacher stated, “Having somebody to brainstorm with about planning, having colleagues to reflect with about what was going on in the classroom- that was great” when talking about his first teaching job and the value of having teachers to collaborate with. Learning communities are focused on allowing teachers to work together to come up with best practices, improvements, ideas, projects, etc.

            There are many benefits of learning communities. A huge benefit is that teachers no longer have to work on their own. Teachers can work together with other teachers to come up with great ideas for lessons, classroom management, projects, etc. Teachers overall are able to make improvements in their classrooms and as a group focus on student learning.

            Learning communities affect teachers in positive ways because teachers are able to learn new strategies for teaching and receive useful information from other teachers.  Teachers are able to bounce ideas off each other and reflect on what has been working in the classroom and what hasn’t been working. Teachers no longer have to work in isolation. They share the responsibility with other teachers of bringing good ideas into the classroom.

            Learning communities also have a good affect on students because learning communities focus on student learning. The topic of discussion is always the students and how to provide students with the best learning experiences. Teachers focus on improving and doing their best to help students learn.

            There are many components of shared vision in learning communities. It’s always important that teachers share the same focus on student learning, goals, improvements, beliefs, values, etc. Teachers should be committed to working together and sharing ideas.

            The concepts in chapter two relate to my project in this class because my partner and I are working together and sharing ideas to come up with a good unit on staying healthy. We are sharing the responsibility and bouncing ideas off of each other. Great ideas come from working in with others. I can already tell that my partner and I are benefitting by working together rather than alone because we each have good ideas.

Reading Reflection #2

After reading about learning communities I think it is the most beneficial way to successfully conduct project based learning. The focus of learning communities does not only benefit the students but the teachers as well. By surrounding yourself with other colleagues who may have the same goal or maybe a different goal will better yourself as a teacher.
The learning community will ultimately make the "business better" as Peter Senge says. By creating the community everyone will "expand their capacity to create the results they desire".
This is just one of the benefits for learning communities. The teachers are not the only ones benefiting. The main ideas of the communities is to "ensure that the students learn, create a culture of collaboration for school improvement, and focus on results.". So students, the school, and teachers gain all the benefits of the collaborative community.
Teachers will learn that maybe what they thought was an effective way of teaching a certain subject in math was better to do it a different way. Taking all the constructive criticism will be the best way for teachers to better instruct their students. Also as a teacher you are not alone. You won't have such a high burden of making sure the students learn what they are supposed to. This is that shared responsibility.
Students will gain the advantage of collaborating with other students whether it be within their grade, school, or internationally. By using project based learning the possibilities are endless in the student sense that they can gain a lot of information in ways they haven't before.
The components for a shared vision in learning communities are all things that will make the student succeed and the teachers as well. All the components have some sort of aspect of sharing. They "share a vision, hold shared values, collaborate with each other, work together in collaborative teams" all of the components require team work and sharing ideas and achieving the shared vision.
Concepts in this chapter relate to our project in many ways. Not only the obvious that we are sharing a blog together to bounce ideas off of each other. But also as a class we can view each others blogs and see maybe a different approach to a similar idea we might have for our project. Also in this chapter I like how it gave places to use online collaboration. I think this might be an aspect for our project that we want to incorporate.