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.