Final Concept map

Reading reflection #11

1. As a result of using the project-based learning approach students are able to learn, research and explore in more areas than just the classroom during school hours. Project-based learning allows students to learn anytime and anywhere with the use to handheld technology. Deeper learning is also an outcome of project-based learning. Students are exploring raw information that they are encouraged to make sense of by themselves and with other classmates. The more information the students gather, the more tools they use to help sort the information, such as using a spreadsheet to collect and organize data. Most importantly, using the project-based learning approach allows collaboration. Tools such as Google Docs, podcasts and survey tools help students collaborate and learn together.

2. Its important to bring your project home and not have it lead to a dead end. Good projects should open new doors and create connections that can be turned into future project ideas. Student reflection is one of the best ways to bring the project home. This gives you an insight into how the students learned and what worked best during the project. You can even ask your students what could be done to make the project even better, you'll be surprised with all the great input you get. 

3. In a way we are working on bringing our project home by putting together a collaborative concept map and a project website. Also, we have used a lot of the tools mentioned in the appendix and it was great to learn how that really helps the students come together and learn as one. I love how this chapter makes you realize how important it is to bring the project home and reflect on what you and the students have learned from the project as a whole. 

Reading response 11

Some things that can happen at the end of a project that went well in a classroom is that students may be more professionally aware.  They may have a better understanding of what certain jobs do and now will  have more experience with 21^st century skills like team work, deadlines, and self-reflection.  The parent- teacher relationships may be closer from the involvement the parents had in the project.  Hopefully, the students have a new-found respect for learning due to all of the hard work they did and the results that project may have had on the community. 

One of the best ways to bring home a project is to do a reflection that includes what students could have done better/ changed about the project and what direction would they take to move the project forward.  It is also important to have a common theme and or link the previous project with the next one because students can see how important this big idea is and also will start to make connections between the different topics.

This project is important because it talks about after the project and how to properly wrap up the project so students can get the full effects of their accomplishments.  Also, I this it is very important that a teacher considers the next project and how to relate the previous one so students can further their interest in the subject.  

Reading Reflection #11

    Using a Project-based learning approach is a completely different way of teaching and learning. It is a way for students to learn things they never learn from just being lectured at and doing homework assignments. PBL is a way for students to learn in a fun way. As teachers, you kind of trick your students by making them do activities where they are actually learning but they think they are just having fun. Another benefit to PBL is there is an end goal. Something the students can look forward to during the whole project.

    There are many ways to bring your project home. Capitalize on your investment-think about the concrete planning that helped to make the project successful. Critique your work-the project debrief is an excellent time for colleagues to review students work products together. Share you insights-Find ways to share your project with other teachers, they will learn from you, just as you learned from other projects developers when you began your journey. Create a website, project library, or publish your project. You can also become a resource for your colleagues- consider turning your experience into a professional development opportunities. Last, enter your project into a contest-by entering a contest, it give you and your students a chance to put the best work forward. This could help you get feedback form other colleagues.

    This chapter helps our think about what we can do after the project is over. Yes we have plans on how to celebrate our project but we don’t have a time for the staff to give feedback and think of ways to make it better. We want out project to continue after this year so keeping up the classroom website will be important.

Reading Reflection #10

    Setting aside time for conscious reflection helps students reveal things they might not otherwise think about; what they learned and what they enjoyed about learning, their growth as learners, and how and what they want to learn in projects ahead.

    Reflecting is a very important part of the project. It’s a time for the students to look back and see how much they learned. You could bring back the pre project assessment and show them what they thought before the project so they can compare what they know now. This is also a time for you as a teacher can get input. The students could give you suggestions on what they liked, what they didn’t, and what you could do to make the project better next time.

    When a school does something that will be remembered for generations this is when a tradition is created. Students who do the project will tell their younger siblings about it then they will look forward to doing it. I remember in my school, we had many traditions. In fifth grade, there was the Lego project. In eight grade, there was the egg drop. Senior year, we had Gatsby Days. These kinds of traditions will always be remembered.

    Once the project is done, celebrate! Show students work, put on an event, create a blog, or a hold party. Any way you do it, celebrate learning, and build your schools identity as a place where kids get to learn through projects.

  Once our project is done, we are going to do a questionnaire. This is the time for the students to look back on the project and give us their input. We are also going to have a school wide assembly, where the students can show off what they learned. If we were really doing this project, I hope it would be something that would continue for years to come. It would be a project that students would look forward to doing.

Reading response #10

1/2. It is important to set time apart for students to reflect on their work and other classmates work. This is because reflection is an essential element in learning. When time is set aside for reflection, students are able to reveal things they might not of thought about before. Students should take time to reflect on what they learned, what they enjoyed learning about, their growth as a learner and what and how they want to learn projects in the future. It's also important to get an idea for how the project was meaningful and purposeful for each student. Reflection offers students a chance to reflect on ways to overcome obstacles and challenges when times get tough in the project. It's your job as the teacher to help them reflect. Remind them of the joyous discoveries they made along the way to make all those challenges worth the struggle and to be proud of all their hard work!

3. Schools can build tradition and identity by finding something they are good at or maybe even something to community is good at or embraces. Tradition is a great way to keep students and members of the community interested in the project and it can even make the project easier on you. Families and students will be willing to go above and beyond to keep the project running smoothly. The excitement builds from lower grades and by the time they get to your class they will be ready to learn! 

4. Having a celebration to honor all the hard work of the class on the project is super important. Celebrating build student confidence and starts building your school tradition right then and there. Your new school identity can be the school that learns through projects. How exciting! Celebrate your students work by displaying work in areas of the school for everyone to see, like the hallway or the cafeteria. The students will beam with pride and feel accomplished. 

5. We can take all these ideas into consideration when finishing up our project. We will be sure to celebrate the project with our students and put their handwork and great accomplishments on display for the entire school to see. It will be great to see them take pride in their work. 

Reading Response 10

1.      1. Students need to be able to reflect on a project because it can help them make connections to what they learned and the work force, helps them realize what they accomplished through the project and feel good about it, lets the students consider what they want to do better, and also helps the students create their own meaning from skills and lessons they learned.

2.     2.  It is important that students reflect and elaborate so they can evaluate their own strengths and weaknesses for the project.  Also, as they elaborate, the students can figure out what direction they would like to go for the next project and what kind of an impact they would like to have on the community with it. 

3.      3. Many schools build their traditions on the identity they create for themselves whether it have to do with academics, sports, or music.  Some classrooms have an identity in project based learning environment where the younger generations are excited to learn and work at the projects.  This is very exciting to me because with this reputation, my students would already be excited to learn and have plans for their projects to make a difference in the community.

4.   4.    Celebrating a project is important because it shows the parents and other community members the amazing work the students have accomplished.  Also, if it is a party or event, the students can teach the community about their project while showing off their work.  The classroom is about the students and their learning: why not show off their hard work?

5.      5. This chapter is helpful to our project because students can get a chance to show the community their work and get the community members excited about their projects.  I like how it mentioned the things that students remember about school and value above all else.  When they have the ability to make an impact on their community and showcase their work in proud moments they may make many good memories in just one year.