Reading Reflection #5

Before you start a project you should consider what materials you will need, if your project is going to involve technology that is new to students, do you need to expand the access to technology for your students, will your students need an expert to answer questions?  

Teachers management needs

• Tools for communication with students and others about the project
• Tools for making milestones and events visible and for notifying students when change occurs
• methods for getting resources to students
• system for managing work products
• structures that support a productive learning environment in which teams and individuals are engages in a variety of learning tasks at the same time
• assessment tools and strategies

Student management needs

• systems that help them manage their time and flow of work
• systems that help students manage materials and control work drafts
• collaboration tools
• methods for seeking assistance
• ways to get and use feedback on their work, through self-reflection, team input and teaching advice
• ways to work iteratively and to see how parts add up to the whole

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There are many different types of technology applications, you could have your students create a website where they could display all of the information that they have gathered. They could create a blog, again writing what information that they have found. Using a blog is also a good way for other student to comment and ask question. Last, there are two websites, Drupal and Textpattern are more sophisticated Web spaces. They have plugins such as discussion forums and surveys.

I think that the information from this chapter could help our projects, especially the technology applications. We are having the students in our projects communication with other students and creating a website or a blog is a good way for them to stay connected. They can show each other what they are learning and share information.