In the first video, Brian Crosby discusses his ELL class at a Denver TEDx talk and the hot-air balloon science project that really got his whole classroom excited about using technology through project based learning. Crosby's class used wikis, blogs, and skype to interact with students across the globe to send their "high hopes" up with their air balloon after doing several in class experiments on what to expect from the balloon's journey. The class tracked the balloon on google during its flight into the air and also attached a camera to record the experiences of the balloon. Crosby also had his students write a narrative story about the balloon's journey from the perspective of the balloon. He was able to get his students excited about learning, all while incorporating writing and reading skills, science and physics, and also helping the students to sharpen their language skills through verbal communication via skype. This is a great example for how project based learning can get students excited about learning, but also how project based learning can create more meaningful and lasting learning experiences that relate to real world situations. The use of technology through this experiment shows how easily it is to share ideas and stay to connected to others, which in turn makes students more prideful and responsible for their work.
In the second video, Paul Anderson talks about the concept of blended learning. Blended learning combines the compelling parts of "classroom, online, and mobile learning in a powerful and useful way." Andersen uses an acronym "QUIVERS" which first starts with an engaging Question, then Investigating/Inquiry, then Video to incorporate technology and keep their attention, followed by Elaboration on the subject, Review of what was learned,then finishing with a Summary quiz. I think this is a great approach to a blended classroom because it incorporates each aspect of learning and also gives teachers a solid guideline to follow for every subject/problem. This way, students can use the guideline QUIVERS for their own purposes, maybe even asking their own questions, finding their own resources, and challenges others to learn new information.
The third video featured Mark Church and how his students worked in groups to create a headline that represented the mystery of the human origin. The kids were able to discuss and focus on what they interpreted to be the main idea around human beginnings. They were also able to share their headlines with the class and had a group discussion about how their headline related to the mystery of human beginnings. I really like Mark Church's approach to group work, it allows for in depth discussion and connection between students and their ideas.
The fourth video was by far my favorite approach to using technology and project based learning in the classroom. Sam Pane teaches his 5th grade class how to be a good digital citizen by using the internet wisely and carefully. He starts his lesson with a hook or an interesting question from Spider-man, "With great power, comes great responsibility." He then asks his class what kind of power does the internet give them. The students share their ideas and are then instructed to create their own digital super hero and comic strip that shows their digital hero saving the day by giving safe internet use instructions. The students were not only able to create their own customized super hero, but were also able to put themselves into the comic as the victim of an internet hazard. I loved his approach because Pane was not only able to engage and get his students interested in what they were learning, but he was teaching them how to use the internet safely by using technology that showcased his students individual creativity. His lesson plan incorporates all aspects of technology and project based learning all while keeping his students engaged and open for class discussion and sharing.
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Students in Sam Pane's class creating their Super Digital Citizen.
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The fifth video shows us a blended Canadian classroom where three teachers teaching Literature, History, and Technology Processing, combine their efforts to give their students a more meaningful and project based learning experience. The students receive three credits for this one class but are able to have the time length of three classes combined. This allows the students and the teachers more time to look their projects and concepts on a more in-depth level. Students are able to perfect their work by putting more time into what they have created which almost always gives the students a sense of pride within their work. This learning approach has teachers and students motivated to go further into their studies and projects. Although unconventional, I feel like this learning style should be more widely practiced here in America.
The last video features Roosevelt Elementary School and how they have fully embraced project based learning. This school has really focused on helping their community through project based learning. The students are collaborating on these projects and are becoming familiar with public speaking by presenting their projects and ideas. These projects are solving real-life problems in a real-life way, just like you would in the professional world. What I really liked about this video is that the students, teachers, parents, and really the whole community was able to come together to be supportive of this new learning approach at Roosevelt. It is so awesome to see other people excited about project based learning, not just the students. These students are changing their community through their learning experience! What an incredible opportunity for students, parents, and teachers alike.
I find it inspiring to see other schools from all over the country and even the world that are incorporating project based learning through technology. It seems overwhelming at times trying to make sense of all these projects and making them meet core standards. It gives me encouragement to know that there are other educators who are passionate about enriching students' learning experiences as much as I am. We can learn and be inspired by all of these stories in our quest to know and conquer project based learning in the classroom!
Great Post, as always, Miss Shirley!
ReplyDeleteYou thoroughly covered every video and brought up the best points that were made I like how you ended every video summary with your personal opinion about the teaching methods being used in each example. You are a superstar!
Your Friend, Justine!