Reflection 8 (Allison Burt)

Allison Burt

Reflection 8

1. Description of some ways to build connections and branch out beyond the classroom.

One way teachers and students can branch out beyond the classroom is building a blog that connects with other experts or others globally to get their feedback on what they are studying. Weinshenker says, “Listening to youth is as much a part of the dialogue as giving them the tools to speak” (p.127).  Students can engage in making a digital storytelling project to connect with their peers and others who see the movie when they may be sharing hardships or life experiences. This is a neat idea to help them speak out about their feelings. Students should have ample opportunities to be conferencing with other experts who are practicing researchers. One example in the text discusses about conference calling a marine scientist. This opens doors to new insight regarding what they do. Expanding the learning circle is another way to broaden student learning. Teachers could construct a cross-cultural project by communicating with other teachers across the world. This would enable students to get a new taste of a different culture. The perk about using technology is to broaden teacher and student knowledge beyond the classroom.

2. Description of the EAST Initiative Model.

The Environmental and Spatial Technologies (EAST) is a network of schools that use tools including: GIS, GPS, CAD, and other applications to solve problems or make improvements based on student interest. Through collaboration one team developed a documentary based on a Japanese-American internment camp.  Tim Stephenson was the person who had initially developed the EAST model. He has trained and supported teachers who implement this model into their classrooms.The EAST model has four essential components including: student-driven learning, authentic project-based learning, technology as tools, and collaboration.

3. Discussion on some reasons to let students “lead” their projects.

Teachers who let their students “lead” their projects opens up opportunities for students to do a project that follows their own interests. When students get to have choices and choose what topic to do a project you will see much more engagement and a piece of work that the student put time and effort in. In the text it mentions a student who has dyslexia and how she connected more with blogging than writing. This is why as a teacher it is important to recognize what you can do to help students learn based on their abilities and interest.

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

The teacher is having us lead our own projects. We first got to choose from a list of topics what we wanted to do, which is connecting to our interest. Also as a group we got to decide our celebration, which is a staying healthy workshop. Another way my group is “branching out” was when we pretended to connect with students from Tokyo, Japan to learn more about their healthy dishes and exercises.