Reflection 3 (Allison Burt)

Allison Burt

Reflection 3

1. Discussion on what should be considered in finding “the Big Idea” for a project.

Teachers need to decide what is the main “goal” or “objectives” they want their students to learn when finding “the Big idea” within their curriculum. In the text it mentioned how an elementary school teacher used a concrete example representing the number 1,000. It is great teachers are finding multiple ways to represent concepts to make connections and implement real life applications through projects. When students are able to make those kinds of connections it sparks more interest and excitement. One point well said states, “When students know that their project offers value for their community, they become even more invested in learning” (p. 46). I agree, teachers need to assign students purposeful and meaningful work. This is why it is critical for teachers to pull out “the Big idea” within concepts they are teaching.

2. Discussion on the 2lst Century skills.

Teachers should challenge their students by assigning projects based on “higher-order” thinking skills, not just accept students learning at a knowledge level. Students need to learn to think about how they can apply a concept in multiple ways. Objectives should be associated with these action verbs including: (p 47)

Analyze

Evaluate

Create

A teacher’s goal is to expand their student’s mind, not shrink!

3. Discussion on the 21st Century literacies.

We live in a digital-driven age where technology is becoming more frequently used in the classroom.  In the text it mentions the ISTE NETS-S, which is known as a digital literacy. This looks at what skills students will need to achieve in the future, rather than living in the present. NETS-S wants students to be successful and gain independence through developing these skills: (p.49)

-Creativity and Innovation

-Communication and Collaboration

-Research and Information Fluency

-Digital Citizenship

-Technology Operations and Concepts

4. Discussion on each of the essential learning functions.

1.    Ubiquity: Learning Inside and Outside the classroom, and All the Time-Give students tools for exploring, while supporting their learning whether they are in the classroom or not. Let your students be able to familiarize themselves as much as possible with hands-on/interactive tools. This will help them become adequate and familiar with various technology tools. 

2.    Deep Learning: Students should be using higher-order thinking skills to help them make sense with what they are learning through different steps including: (p.54)

-sort

-organize

-analyze

-graph

 

Students are breaking down their projects into chunks to get a thorough understanding before moving on. 

3.    Making Things Visible and Discussable:

Visual representations allows you to grasp the information in multiple ways including, but not limited to: pictures, mind maps, Google Earth, Flickr

4.    Expressing Ourselves, Sharing Ideas, Building Community:

This involves sharing ideas through networking. INTERACTION

Blogs, Tagging, virtual meetings etc. (p.55)

5.    Collaboration-Teaching and Learning with Others: Planning and learning together.

6.    Research: Students develop skills when researching on their project topic. However, students need to identify what information is accurate versus what is not.

7.    Project Management: Planning and Organization- All group members need to be informed with meeting individual task deadlines. Group members should develop a collaborative outline including their goals and add dates.

 

8.    Reflection and Iteration: Be attentive to other group members’ ideas. It is good to have input about your project through different perspectives. The blog we are using allows group members to share thoughts and comment while developing our event.

5. Discussion on how concepts in this chapter relate to your topic/project.

Our group’s goal for our topic staying healthy is to develop a workshop at the end. The “workshop” can also be identified as “the Big idea.” This goal cannot be possible without the support of all group members. We want to use multiple perspectives and ways to represent staying healthy. We developed our ideas using the concept map with our big idea in the center. We are not just gaining knowledge about staying healthy, but organizing and creating an event. The event will be not be just limited to the group members ideas, but stretched to professionals in the community. As a group we are also networking with students from another country to apply real-world concepts.

Reading Reflection #2 Cameron McCririe


Discussion on the Focus of Learning Communities

Learning Communities focus on shared ideas, connecting with other teachers, and reflecting on new knowledge. This way of bringing fellow teacher together helps to strengthen each others teaching as well as finding new ways to connect and share different ideas. 


Discussion on the benefits of Learning Communities

The benefits of Learning Communities is that there is no isolation between teachers, which means that teacher are better able to collaborate their ideas and practices with one another. 


Discussion on how Learning Communities affects teachers

 Allowing for Learning Communities helps teachers in a very positive way. Each teacher has their own style of teaching. By allowing teachers to collaborate with one another, it opens them to different ways to teach that may work better with specific students who are not responding previously.


Discussion on how Learning Communities affects students

Learning Communities also affects students in a positive way. Students all learn differently which means that one teachers teaching style may or may not be what that specific student needs in order for them to be attentive and active in the classroom. Different ways to teach to every student is extremely important especially in our time since many of our future students will have specific needs that require differentiated instruction. 


Discussion on the component for shared vision in Learning Communities

Shared vision allows for teachers to learn/work together and develop professional learning communities


Discussion on how the components of this chapter relate to your topic/project

These components relate to our topic because it focuses on the idea of collaboration and teamwork to further our knowledge in teaching and learning. With our topic we collaborate with one another to form a "community" that exchanges ideas and knowledge.

Reflection #2: Lexie Sittsamer

1. Focus of Learning Communities:

• collaboration
• teachers
• students
• shared view
• "research-based"
• innovation 

2. Benefits of Learning Communities:

• no isolation
• communication 
• collaboration
• differentiated instruction

3. Learning Communities affect teachers:

• international conversations
• edublogging community
• no isolation
• professional collaboration/mentoring
• friendships
• "Professional learning communities"

4. Learning Communities affect students:

• digital-age projects
• team work
• friendships
• "ensure that students learn"
• "learn to learn together"
• gain real world skills

5. Components for shared vision in Learning Communities:

• learning together
• "Professional learning communities"
• working together
• "online communities"
• dedication / hard work

6. Concepts in this chapter relate to our topic/project:

• collaboration
• friendships
• team work
• "ensure that students learn"
• gain real world skills

Reflection 2 Ishara Brent

Reflection 2 Ishara Brent


Discussion on the focus of Learning Communities

The focus on learning communities is to share ideas, work closely with others, and reflect on new knowledge. New contexts for learning, creates new opportunities for teachers to work together and overcome the traditional isolation of this profession. Learning communities is a great way to grow as a teacher and get to know your colleagues. It removes isolation and brings teachers closer together to create the best teaching methods, models, and learning environment.

Discussion on the benefits of Learning Communities

The benefits of Learning Communities are technology initiatives. For example, professional development, hardware, and software, so that teachers can get more comfortable using new tools. Another benefit is professional collaboration and mentoring to help students with their academics. The last benefit I would like to discuss is Foundations that allows teachers to serve as friendly critics to improve lesson plans, and classroom management. These benefits are great for an academic school year and should be presented to all teachers before they enter a classroom.

Discussion on how Learning Communities affect teachers

Learning communities affect teachers in a positive way. Teachers push each other to take projects to the next level. Thy also work with passion, and bring that into their classrooms to help their students learn. As teachers, they learned as a team what did  not work well, and how they could improve. Learning communities has taught teachers how to work as a team, and some connect with teachers all over the world.

Discussion on how Learning Communities affect students

Learning communities affects students in a positive way, most students are getting the best lessons from their teachers. They are also getting dedicated teachers, that are passionate about education and new knowledge. Students develop skills and dispositions necessary in the real world. Such as, communication, problem solving, project management, motivation, and persistence.

Discussion on the components for shared vision in Learning Communities

Shared vision includes building bonds as the community shares triumphs and disappointments.This includes team work, and what a learning community is all about. A shared vision  is what both students and teachers share so that they can be the best learners. I think this is great! I plan to have shared visions when I become a teacher. I hope that someone shares my vision, and matches my passion of learning and teaching.

Discussion on how concepts in this chapter relate to your topic/project

These concepts relate to our "Staying Healthy" topic, because we are working as a team, and learning new ideas, to educate others.  We also are very passionate about education and staying healthy. We want the community to be aware of a healthy lifestyle, and hopefully with our information we can make that happen.

Reflection 2 (Allison Burt)

Allison Burt
Reflection 2

Discussion on the focus of Learning Communities.

Learning communities focus is collaboration among your colleagues. It is essential to connect with other teachers with various grade levels to generate ideas for projects/curriculum. Learning Communities requires meeting up with your team members and reflecting on what projects went well and which ones did not. Mueller states, “We pushed each other to take projects to the next level” (p. 28). This is important to always be thinking of ways to improve.

In text it states the benefits of learning communities on (3) student centered ideas (p. 32):
• Ensure that students learn
• Create a culture of collaboration for school improvement
• Focus on results

Discussion on the benefits of Learning Communities.

Learning communities eliminates teacher isolation by working with other teachers on the curriculum. When teachers are isolated they don’t get the opportunity to share ideas to make improvements. Also learning communities allows teachers to have shared responsibility. A teacher would not be expected to develop all the projects on their own, but all the team members get to weigh in their ideas. The learning for students is more powerful because of the well thought out project-based curriculum with new and exciting ideas.

Discussion on how Learning Communities affect teachers.

Teachers can be part of online communities to collaborate and give one another critical feedback on their teaching. One online source for professional development is called, Tapped In, which allows faculty, students, and researchers to support one another and exchange ideas. When teachers work together as a team to develop projects for their students they can give each other critical feedback. One teacher presented a digital media project to about 10 teachers before bringing it to the classroom. This allowed the teacher to receive feedback on his project and he could self-reflect on what went well and what didn’t.

Discussion on how Learning Communities affect students.

Students are able to support one another when working on projects by learning together. They will be able to develop communication skills with working with their peers. The students will learn to problem solve and reflect with their group members by doing peer-to-peer support. Project management is an import aspect to developing a successful project, because the team needs to each have their assigned tasks and collaborate.

Discussion on the components for shared vision in Learning Communities.

In learning communities you have to have a clear sense of mission. If who you collaborate or team with do not have the same goal as you, it will not work. Your partnership/team has to be able to collaborate and offer critical feedback when developing projects. Within your community you have to be fully committed and have that drive to continually improve to help students be successful in their learning. As your community communicates always make sure your focus is helping students learn.

Discussion on how concepts in this chapter relate to your topic/project.

Our topic is about staying healthy. Our team members have to agree on the same goal for our project to be successful. We collaborate with one another by creating a concept map and generating ideas. My team has exchanged phone numbers to keep in contact if there is any misunderstandings or if we should meet up outside of the classroom. If one of our team members disagrees with an idea for our project we will give each other critical feedback or suggestions. When we work together we will always be supporting one another and looking for ways to improve our project.

Directions for Staying Healthy Workshop Event

View Larger Map We will meet at Kalamazoo Central High School at 7:30am for bus transportation for event. Arrival at Bicentennial Park will be at approximately 7:50am. The event will begin at 8am. (Date to be determined)

Cameron McCririe Reading Reflection #1


Discussion on what you need to keep in mind as you start the journey through Project-Based Learning (PBL).
When you are doing a Project-Based Learning (PBL) approach you need to be able to communicate well with your group members. There should be a team leader that will make sure group members are on task. Teachers can design projects as a framework of learning to keep the students engaged.  Project-Based Learning allows students to have a choice, and allow for active learning and teamwork.

Discussion on the overall benefits of the PBL approach.
Students work together to solve problems that are important to them. These problems can be real world problems to help them understand that what needs to be done or what can be done.The PBL focuses on technology, teamwork, confidence, and allows teachers to help students achieve learning goals. 

Discussion on the benefits to students who participate in PBL.
Students gain experience, learn how to work in teams, and think creatively. Students will be able to think critically instead of the typical sitting in the classroom and being lectured by the teacher to memorize the information and not apply it. 

Discussion on what issues need to be considered in PBL approach.
Some issues with PBL is that it takes a large amount of time to do and the training that is needed for teachers to transition to this new way of teaching.

Discussion on New Technology High as an example of New Technology Model.
New Technology High allows the students to become more critical thinkers instead of just solving a problem without any consideration as to why they solved it. It helps students to become better time managers and the technology helps in them becoming a function member of society. 

Evaluation of Web Sites

What 3 websites is everyone planning to for the assignment, evaluation of web sites?

Lexie is planning to use:

1. http://www.mentalhealth.gov
2. http://www.yogakids.com
3. http://www.healthyeating.org/Healthy-Eating/Healthy-Living/Weight-Management/Article-Viewer/Article/348/correct-portion-sizes-how-to-keep-portion-distortion-in-check.aspx

Cameron is planning to use:

1. http://www.advice-for-teachers.com/healthy.html
2. http://www.choosemyplate.gov/
3. http://allrecipes.com/recipes/healthy-recipes/

Allison is planning to use:

1. http://www.eatright.org/Public/content.aspx?id=4294967941
2. http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/teens/safety-prevention/teenagers-how-to-stay-healthy.html
3. https://www.presidentschallenge.org/motivated/ten-ideas.shtml

Ishara is planning to use:
1. http://kidshealth.org/kid/stay_healthy/
2. http://www.fit4theclassroom.com/
3. http://www.mindbodygreen.com/tag/yoga 

Reflection #1: Lexie Sittsamer

1. As I begin the journey through Project-Based Learning (PBL), I need to keep in mind:

• the available technologies,
• try new techniques, 
• have dialoge with peers / others in the teaching field,
• research the newest findings,
• student based learning,
• interaction, and
• more. 

2. Overall benefits of the PBL (Project-Based Learning) approach:

• use of new technology,
• evolving ideas and ways,
• teamwork,
• ability to collaborate,
• student based learning, and
• more. 

3. Benefits to students who participate in PBL:

• team-work interaction,
• builds leadership skills,
• students learning from one another,
• working at own pace - with assigned guidelines and deadlines,
• innovative and creative freedoms, and
• more.

4. Issues that need to be considered in PBL approach:

• what guidelines need to be set,
• teacher lead or student lead,
• how information will be learned,
• how students will be measured on content, and
• more.

5. New Technology High as an example of New Technology Model:

• PBL (project-based learning),
• real-world preparing, 
• problem solving,
• small-scale,
• community building,
• communication/feedback, and
• more.

Ishara Brent Reflection 1

Discussion on what you need to keep in mind as you start the journey through Project-Based Learning

You must keep in mind that Project-based learning is a strategy to help turn traditional classrooms upside down. Students learn by engaging in real-world projects and pursue their own questions to create their own meaning. Teachers design projects as the framework of learning to keep the students engaged.  Project-Based Learning allows students to have a choice, and set the stage for active learning and teamwork.

Discussion on the overall benefits of the PBL approach

The overall benefits of the PBL approach is students engage in real-world activities and practice the strategies of authentic discipline. The students also work collaboratively to solve problems that matter to them. The PBL approach focuses on discovery, technology, teamwork, confidence, and helps teachers achieve essential learning goals.

Discussion on the benefits to students who participate in PBL

Students who participate in PBL, become more prepared to thrive in a world that's certain to continue to change. Students gain experience, learn how to work for a team, access and analyze information, and think creatively. Students who participate in PBL are more prepared to start their career.

Discussion on what issues need to be considered in PBL approach

The PBL takes a lot of time and learning experience for teachers. Sometimes they may run into project challenges. The main issue to be considered in PBL approach is helping a teacher transition.

Discussion on New Technology High as an example of New Technology Model

New Technology High challenges the school districts to find a better way of preparing students for the future by having them learn to think critically, collaboratively, and use technology as a tool for solving problems. The new Technology Model helps students with time management. The model also teaches students how to create digital portfolios, that encourage them to reflect on their learning over time. New Technology High is beneficial to students because it helps them improve.

Reflection 1 (Allison Burt)

Allison Burt

Reflection 1

Discussion on what you need to keep in mind as you start the journey through Project-Based Learning (PBL).

When you are doing a Project-Based Learning (PBL) approach you need to be able to communicate well with your group members. There should be a team leader that will make sure group members are on task. Each person in your group should progress-monitor themselves to make sure deadlines are being met. Collaboration is key when putting together a big project. Always keep your eye set on your group’s goal for the end product.

Discussion on the overall benefits of the PBL approach.

            In PBL, the teacher’s role is a guide. At first they may be overwhelmed developing the curriculum of projects; however, it will be less work for them in the end. They also can ask critical thinking questions to their students throughout the process of PBL. When doing PBL it applies real world concepts to their learning. The students will learn to think critically, problem solve, and collaborate with their group members while teachers observe them.

Discussion on the benefits to students who participate in PBL.

Using PBL will allow students in this digital-age to be engaged in their learning.  Traditionally, students are in rows facing the teacher while he/she lectures. This generation needs to be able to think critically and engage with their peers. Teachers are able to differentiate instruction for those who are visual and hands-on learners. Overall, PBL challenges your students, provides accommodations, and teaches students essential work ethics.

Discussion on what issues need to be considered in PBL approach.

In the text, Paul Curtis explained how he had to fight battles by using PBL, because no other teachers in the school used that approach. Students were complaining about how challenging his class was. The students didn’t realize this class will better prepare them for the future. Teachers need to be informed with what PBL can offer students and collaborate with colleagues in the school to make PBL effective.

A parent’s perspective of their child using technology may be negative for schooling. Some may think technology is a distraction for their child, because of games. As educators, you need to be able to inform others about the benefits of using a PBL approach. Not only should you inform parents, but it is important to inform your colleagues as well.

Discussion on New Technology High as an example of New Technology Model.

New Technology High is a school driven by using a PBL approach. Everything the school does is research-based. Students will be able to demonstrate and make informed decisions regarding their projects. This school will allow students to collaborate among their peers. There is also limited textbook and paper use. Students will be able to perform and do their tasks at school, which leaves little homework at home.

 

 

Staying Healthy Workshop Concept Map: First Draft