Reflection #1

Kristen Logan

EDT 3470

Monday -Peterson/Woodard

Reflection #1

Submitted 1/27

1.) As we start the journey through project based learning we need to keep in mind that today’s students are up to the challenge, projects are worth the effort, students live and learn in the real world, and new contexts encourage the project approach.

2.) The overall benefits of PBL are that projects form the centerpiece of the curriculum, rather than an extra for a unit that’s already planned. Students engage in real world situations that practice the strategies of authentic disciplines and students work to gather to solve problems of their choosing. Also, another benefit is that technology is integrated as a tool for discovery and a type of learning that couldn’t otherwise be tapped into and give teachers a new way to reach learning goals.

3.) The benefits for students doing PBL are that students develop good communication skills, students develop good inquiry skills, students learn to be flexible with their working hours because they know people are relying on them to meet their deadlines. Students also develop a fuller understanding of how the world works and that it does not just revolve around them.

4.) Issues that need to be considered using the PBL approach are your learning goals. The teacher should be ready to rethink expectations for what students will know and do. Another issue is that should be considered is the way you talk and engage with students, students will have more of the spotlight. Be ready to help students become better at managing their own progress. PBL encourages communication and collaboration so teachers should be ready and consider the idea of making the classroom set up in a way that’s easy to collaborate and communicate with their classmates. Also another issue to consider is to be ready to explain this learning approach to parents, and the reasoning behind the 21^st-century project approach.

5.) New Technology High is a great way to illustrate the New Tech model. Vocational education schools or classes can be very beneficial to students because they get to see their work applied to real life situations. Usually these schools are smaller which mean they can have more one on one time with the teacher, which is also an advantage for the teacher as well. Students are able to collaborate, share their ideas, deepen their thinking skills, as well as broaden their horizon.