1. Some potential pitfalls in project design are having a long and busy project but doesn't accomplish much learning, technology layered over traditional practice, considering thematic units as project based learning, and having too many steps and scripted projects. To make your project based learning as successful as possible make sure you avoid this pitfalls.
2. A good project is closely designed with the possibility of students taking different learning paths, causes the students to construct meaning, realistic, tap into rich data and sources, inquiry based, students will learn with and from one another, and have students learn by doing. Your project should have many of these qualities to be consisted a good project.
3. Project ideas can come from multiple places, such as projects with potential for more meaningful learning, by and for other teachers, students questions or interests, new stories, contemporary issues, and a combination of a great idea and a new tool. The possibilities are endless with project based learning. A successful project will often lead you to another successful project!
4. There are steps to designing a project and they go as followed:
Step 1: Revisit the framework.
Step 2: Establish evident of understanding.
Step 3: Plan the "vehicle" (the project theme or challenge)
Step 4: Plan entree into the project experience. For example, the things you would say first to the
students to get them engaged and interested in the project.
5. This relates to our topic/project because we are learning from one another and getting ideas from each other while we are working on the project together. It is helpful to know the pitfalls in project design so we can avoid making those kinds of mistakes in our project. It is also good to know where project ideas come from so we can be inspired to create this project and other ones like it when we become teachers.
One of my favorite aspects of PBL is the inspiration behind the learning--it comes from the kids! How exciting for them, and for teachers who relentlessly aspire to come up with ideas to interest and intrigue every student. This makes our once nearly impossible job, possible. Students will come up with ideas that pertain and relate to current events in their own lives. This ensures they will be interested in the topic and the topic will be relatable for them. It also allows--when information is presented--for students to experience relevant data on a deeper level and allows them to become more absorbed in their own leaning experience. This is a better alternative to skimming information, memorizing to pass a test, and quickly moving onto the next topic.
ReplyDeleteI like how you mentioned one of the pitfalls of having a long, elaborate project but no significant outcome. That's such a big pitfall to consider when creating a project.
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