Spangler: Chapter 8 RR

With the use of technology, the opportunity for building connections is endless. Students have the opportunity to branch out to experts in the field of their study, as well as other students who are learning about the same things. They can use technology to communicate with other classes or experts by blogging, skype, and creating digital movies. Another way to branch out and build connections is to get involved with a real problem in the real world. Students can use technology to research and create arguments and fight for what they believe in.

The EAST Initiative Model is a perfect example of using technology to solve real world problems. The Environmental and Spatial Technology Initiative Network of schools shows how to use technology to make a difference in the real world. The director Matt Dozier explains, “Technology is the hook we use to get kids into significant projects, and to get communities to significantly wanting to support those projects.” It is made up of 260 schools from 2nd grade to post-secondary levels, and it focuses on four main ideas. These ideas include student driven learning, authentic project-based learning, technology as tools, and collaboration. Each school year students can showcase their projects.

It is important to know that the teacher doesn’t have to control and cause all of the student’s learning throughout the project. It is the teacher’s job to help the student find something that interests them. As soon as students are interested in a topic, they create their own learning and lead their own project.

This chapter relates to our project because it provides ideas about expanding projects to the community and other classrooms, which is a key idea of project-based learning. For our topic, we could present the information we have learned about health and teach the community about important nutrition, exercise, and hydration.