I am steadily working towards my goal in infusing technology into my classroom. So far my actions have taught what work s and what doesn’t work for my classes. Trying new strategies is always a learning experience and must be tweaked many times before the lesson achieves its ultimate goal. Dr. Ertmer discusses the importance of reflection for the students to gage their progress and understanding, but educators also need this reflection on their own work (Laureate Education, 2010). I constantly reflect on my lessons to analyze by successes and failures. Lately my students have been asking me many questions about current events, so I want to cater to their interests and let them explore their own learning, For instance my students were just asking me questions about Libya and the events that have taken place there. I began answering their questions but then I began to think about making it into a project since they were so interested in it. In our curriculum I was currently discussing the French Revolution and how the French were inspired by the US to over throw their king and want self government. As a project I had students review the events that are taking place in Libya and analyze how they compare or contrast to what occurred during the American Revolution, and the French Revolution. My students were to research these topics in their texts and internet and create a presentation in PowerPoint analyzing the comparison and differences between them. Students were encouraged to include video clips from new stations from the present day and create their own new report themselves as if it was taking place in present time.
I have learned that my students could be extremely creative when their interests were catered to. They not only learned about the content but also about current events. They were so excited about their projects they were discussing it with their friends and getting them involved in their projects. Project based learning can be a great tool, but educators must be creative and find topics that let students explore their own learning.
References
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2010). “Spotlight on Technology, Project Based Learning Part 2”.[Motion picture]. Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas. . Baltimore : Author
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It is great to hear that you have had success using problem based learning. I like the idea of comparing and contrasting current events with the curriculum requirements. When problems provide an anchor for the content, student learn in the context of the problem (Laureate, 2010). Did you develop this activity with small groups? Did you find that you had to change groups in order to curb discipline issues? It is so important for students to be self directed. It seems that you are offering them opportunities to learn by choosing their own learning strategies and following their own path of discovery. You appear to have been able to meet curriculum standards while finding meaningful activities using current real world topics. It is great to see teachers using what Walden teaches.
ReplyDeleteReferences:
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2010). “Spotlight on Technology, Project Based Learning Part 1”.[Motion picture]. Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas. . Baltimore : Author
Wow! What a powerful example of how good problem-based learning is not only authentic and meaningful, but also immersed in content (Laureate Education, Inc., 2009). As I was reading over your project, I was wondering if you thought that students might be able to use digital story-telling or Windows Movie Maker as a way to amp up creativity and critical thinking when presenting their projects.
ReplyDeleteAlso, like Lance, I was curious about the logistics of pulling off such a project. I’m not only curious about student grouping, but also curious about how the scaffolding you used for guiding students during the working phases of the project and the method you used to assess the final presentations. I ask because I often feel overwhelmed with the details involved with creating project-based units, so I would appreciate any insights you can share.
Mary
Reference:
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2009). Program 8: Spotlight on technology: Problem-based learning, Part 1 [DVD]. In Integrating technology across the content areas. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Arianna,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to capture your students’ interest when you see their minds spinning with ideas. That is a great skill as a teacher. There are so many missed teachable moments and I was excited to see you noticed it and went with their high interest in current events. I also like how you included technology with research. Personally, my students love working outside of the box on research projects, but as soon as you include some kind of technology, they take off with their ideas. It sounds like your students did the same thing. I have one suggestion to offer to you. You might already do this, but I am not sure. When my students have a few tasks to complete on a project, I always include them with a rubric to use a checklist. That way they are able to see what they need to include and to make sure they are staying on track.
Caryn Letts
Thank you for comments. I did work with groups on this project and I have found little discipline issues because my when my students are interested in a topic, they usually do not act out. Occasionally when I do encounter and issue I go to that group and delegate roles for each student, so they are occupied and have little time to misbehave.
ReplyDeleteI am interested in working with Windows Movie Maker and next time I will try this lesson plan and give the students that option to create a presentation using this software. I also use a rubric that also serves as a checklist or guide for the students during their working process. This keeps them on task and lets them work in an organized fashion.