Reading Reflection: Chapter One

Project based learning is powered by contemporary technologies and is a strategy that is focused on changing the traditional classroom and transforming it into a project based classroom.  The focus is making learning more engaging and interesting for students because it is transforming from teacher centered lessons to student centered lessons where they have more control of their learning and when that happens they are more engaged and interested in their learning.  The teacher is no longer the concept expert, as students pursue their won questions to create their own meaning.  One thing to keep in mind as one is on the journey through project based learning is that it can be challenging or take some time to adjust to but it is well worth it as many positive outcomes occur like student behaviors.  The overall benefits of project based learning is student behaviors change, students are engaged and interested in learning, students have control of their learning, they are learning problem solving skills, team work skills are gained, and much more.  Benefits for students who are participating in project based learning is simply that they now have more control of their learning.  Issues are simply that teachers need to be willing to let go some of their control and pass it on to their students and be willing to add projects into their lessons and pulling back on some of the lessons or keeping them short to allow students the opportunity to explore and develop their own questions to explore and become the expert on.  The New Technology High was an example of the new technology model because as they had discussed in the reading the school incorporated technology into the lessons and gave students the access to it which gave students a choice and chance to own their learning and with that they thought deeper into it because it was of more interest to them and from those opportunities they had while at this school they are more prepared for the next step in their life.  I have seen project based learning in action as Scott Durham was a teacher who made the switch to it and actually was a teacher at the high school I went to and my brother had him as a teacher.  My brother enjoyed the learning style that Durham used in his classroom.  Durham is a wonderful teacher and he has adapted and taken on the challenge of changing his classroom from a traditional to a project based classroom.  At the time I did not know this is what it was considered but as I was reading the chapter I realized it and was able to make the connection.  Even if project based learning is challenging for teachers to adapt to it is still worth the challenge and the outcomes are positive and worth the time and effort.  Once I have a classroom I will do all I can to make it a project based learning environment and will try to get other teachers in the building to also make the switch if they haven’t already.

Reading Reflection- Chapter One

Project-Based Learning is a powerful learning tool that not only benefits students, but students actually enjoy it. When beginning to implement PBL it is important to keep an open mind. The teacher has to be willing to change things up and look into the technology and projects that are available. It may be hard to switch to giving control to the students, but it will pay off in the end. PBL creates authentic learning situations. Students can get hands on experience that will allow the lessons to be embedded in ongoing projects. When learning is set up this way the knowledge gained sticks with students better, and allows them to think back years later to what they learned. This makes a big difference from the old method of students completing worksheets only to throw them away later. Students may not remember every little detail but the experiences they gain give them the tools to go back and find any information the need that may have been forgotten. Students also learn to rely on each other and work as a team. Since teachers take a backseat role in this model, students are learning the importance of working things out together.

It may be hard to start Project-Based Learning if no other teachers in the school follow this approach, especially because it is so different. The culture in the school really makes a big difference in how learning is approached and how PBL will fit into the classroom. New Technology High was a good example of how the New Technology Model could become the culture and norm in a school. Students there know their teachers, have that teacher support, but also know how to take control of their own learning. Students there are succeeding because their school made the choice to not only give them access to technology but to fully incorporate it in lessons. Students coming out of this school will be prepared to go out and problem solve in the real world, and work together to come up with creative solutions. Overall, Project-Based Learning is an innovative new approach to learning that allows students to take control of their learning.

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Hi team!