Reflection #4: Lexie Sittsamer

Covers Chapter 4, Strategies for Discovery, of Reinventing Project-Based Learning, p. 59 to 74.

1. Discuss the potential pitfalls in project design. (p. 60-62)

• "Long on activity, short on learning outcomes." ~ All PBL should be meaningful. If a PBL carries on for a while, and doesn't supply leaning outcomes from the experience; it isn't worth the time / energy.
• "Technology layered over traditional practice." ~ Having students use technology to present research, doesn't guarantee the information to be any better. 
• "Trivial thematic units." ~ Themes do not equal PBL. PBL can be themed but isn't always themed.
• "Overly scripted with many, many steps." ~ PBL doesn't need to have complex steps to make the program, PBL. 

2. Discuss the features of a good project. (p. 64-65)

Combination of:

• hands on,
• students gain from experience,
• possible,
• student involved,
• across-the-board learning,
• and more!

3. Discuss where project ideas come from. (p. 65 - 66)

• student interests,
• topic of study,
• news / life related,
• holiday / season,
• question from student,
• and more!

4. Discuss the steps to design a project. (p. 64, 67)

• objectives / standardizes,
• what you want students to gain / learn,
• who is involved,
• what is involved, 
• where is PBL taking place,
• when is PBL taking place,
• and more!

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

• students can use a healthy living topic for final presentation at workshop,
• students should choose a meaningful topic for final presentation at workshop,
• students should gain experience from PBL for final presentation at workshop,
• student should present information learned in a meaningful form for final presentation at workshop,
• and more!