Reading Reflection 7

There are three different types of level of classroom discussion, the first being teacher to teacher. This is a great way to show a project to another teacher and ask them how they feel about it or just overall feedback, what might they change or do differently.  This is a great time to work together, maybe improve on old mini lesson plans. I like the idea if you want to work with teachers that are in another location and too far away to talk face-to-face start up a blog or other collaborative tool to get ideas and share thoughts. Another level of classroom discussion is student to students. It’s really important for students to be talking about the learning experiences as they happen, not only in their own groups but with other students in the class as well. As a teacher you can join in on conversation but make sure to not take over. It’s also good to model how to give effective feedback, give them opportunities to practice this with peers. The last level of discussion is teacher to student, this change with project based learning; you won’t just be standing and using a lecture format with the students. Most of the time you will be circulating, observing and talking in smaller groups of students, unless you need to give a mini lesson to make sure the whole class understand an idea.

It’s very important as a teacher to check in on students during a project, procedural is making sure we are staying on schedule. Track the progress of students and make sure they know when the deadline is coming up. Teamwork is very important, make sure all the students are working together and not just one or two students are doing all the work. Understanding, spend some time observing teams at work, ask questions. If students start to go off task bring them back to main ideas. Lastly self-assessment, ask questions that encourage self-assessment and reflection. If students don’t feel comfortable asking their questions have them post them up on a blog.

  Students who use technology will most likely learn more and have more fun than other students. It is your job to help teach different types of technology to the students, some may be great with computers and others may have a really hard time. This is when a mini lesson comes in handy, give a brief over view of the technology you plan to use for your project to the students. Also make sure the technology you are using is helping the students to learn something. Some classrooms might not even have the technology your project calls for so keep that in mind as well when planning. 

  Not having the right technology can make or break any project, as well as not being prepared. Teamwork is a huge make or breaks a project as well. You might need to help teams along or point them in the right direction. Coming up with a team contract is a great way to make sure every student put all they can into helping there group out. Make sure everyone is helping out and focusing on the same main ideas. Having them evaluate their peers in also a really great idea.

       The ideas in this chapter were very helpful when thinking about my topic. Checking in with students is so important to make sure they stay on task. Overall thinking about what can really make or break a project, we have talked a lot already about technology being a problem but thinking about students need to really work together to have a great learning experience is so important.