Reading Reflection #8

Sarah Betzold

EDT 3470

Reading Reflection #8

Using technology is a great way to build connections and branch out beyond the classroom. Wikis, podcasts and Skype can be used for real conversations that can be used to reach others in the community or across the globe. This allows students become aware of the culturally diverse world we live in and discover new information through real conversations rather than books or through lecture. Teachers need to know how to contacts experts and can involve parents in that process. Teachers can set up a blog or website informing parents of what type or expert is being looked for. Parents can often help as well as coworkers, friends etc. There are several ways to branch out by communicating to people you know and by using technology.

The EAST Initiative Model represents four main ideas. The first idea is that students should be held responsible for their own learning. The next idea is that students should engage in problem solving in their communities. Another idea is giving students the necessary technology and experts to help solve the problem. The last idea is collaboration. When students work together they learn what it is like to work in the real world with others and problem solve.  EAST stands for Environmental and Spatial Technologies. The EAST Initiative Model focuses on student-driven learning and allows students to learn by doing.

Teachers should let students “lead” their projects because they can generate project ideas that they are passionate about and take interest in. Students can learn a lot through their own interests and gain independence by creating their own project. The teacher will be there for support but the student will ultimately be responsible for his or her own learning. Allowing students to lead their own projects prepares students for the real world where someone will not be telling them exactly what to do.

   These concepts relate to our projects because we are designing a unit that focuses on all of these ideas. We will need to know how to build connections and branch out beyond the classroom when we one day have our own classrooms. Our Virtual PenPals project was a great example of this. The EAST Initiative Model is also important because it gives those ideas are ideas that we have learned about throughout the semester and have incorporated in our projects. Also, allowing students to lead projects is an important idea that we may want to try in our future classrooms. All of these concepts are extremely important to think about as we begin our teaching careers.