Reading Reflection # 3

1.       The first thing that should be considered when finding the “Big Ideas” for a project is do you have a curriculum you have to follow for your school and grade?  It would be best not to get in trouble and do a whole lot of planning for nothing, so we should make sure we are going along with any published curriculum first.  Next, we really need to evaluate what our students need to work on so that we can tailor the assignment to challenge them and exercise the skills that need some work still.  If the majority has issues with interpreting reading, then we should exercise those skills.  If there are skills that we think it best that they learn now either for careers or for future schooling then we should also weigh those into the equation.

2.       I really like how the text book includes that students can learn to have better habits and attitudes as part of a 21^st century skill.  These are the kinds of outlooks that can make or break a job, and even more important the students outlook on life and dealing with people.  I also like the example about a biography assignment that asks questions about values and why this person is distinguished instead of random facts about their life.

3.       These Literacy Skills that would be the focus in PBL are what teachers should be focusing on for students to be have experiences more like a workplace setting.  The Digital Age literacy keeps students up to date with technology, Inventive Thinking will help with leadership and motivation but also help design fresh ideas that employers are looking for, Effective Communication will help with leadership and collaborative work as well, and High Productivity will help with planning and managing the workplace projects.

4.       Ubiquity is where students have a strong desire to learn and pursue it everywhere.  Deep Learning happens when a student can analyze and organize information in their head so that they have a profound understanding by the time they have figured the lesson out.  When things are Visual and Discussable students can interact visually and then discuss the information that will help cement the knowledge in place since they have to explain their reasoning.  Since technology is a big part of our lives now it is a great idea to make some connection through blogs and webinar types activities.  Collaboration is essential because it can promote social skills, patience, and can also help students broaden their thinking with the many different opinions they may encounter.  Students need to be able to research because they will have to do it on their own when they are in the workplace.  Project Management is important since deadlines don`t go away after school and also it can help people go back and review their work for mistakes.  Reflection and Iteration are great because students will need to sift through all of the ideas for many different things throughout their life and make decisions. 

5.       The concepts in this chapter are very important for our project because we will be looking to these guidelines for our objectives and ideas for our students to do and learn in the different steps.