What is a blog. Blogs, short for weblogs, are used to share information and opinions with readers and to solicit feedback and discussion. They often take the form of a journal and are regularly updated with new entries.
You will be creating a blog to serve as a record of your learning as we go through the various modules. Reflect on the the focus of Module 1 and blog about how it has helped you plan and create your unit.
Please answer the following questions: How can projects help my students meet standards and develop 21st century skills? How can I use projects to enhance student learning?
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How can projects help my students meet standards and develop 21st century skills?
ReplyDeleteProjects help students meet standards because the products the students produce or create are centered on meeting specific criteria. The final products show they understand the subject and how it connects to the real world. For example, last year my sixth graders completed a geometry project in which they took on the role as architects and redesigned the playground. The rubric had specific requirements (standard driven) such as including the circumference of a circle in their design.
The 21st Century skills students learn through project based learning, in my opinion, are by far the most beneficial aspect of this method of teaching. Students learn how to work with others in all settings both good and not so good (real life for sure), how to make decisions, solve problems, communicate with team members,and use technology in their learning. In addition, they are not limited to possible solutions to a problem within reason. They have to learn how to manage their resources from start to finish. Most importantly, they take pride in their accomplishments.
I had the most incredible results with last year's class. On their own, they took it from a two dimensional to a three dimensional project.
How can I use projects to enhance student learning?
Projects enhance student learning because students are more engaged. They take a more inquiry approach to learning and seek out their own solutions. They come to understand that there truly is a connection between what we are studying in school and the real world. Therefore, they take a more active role in learning.
Projects that meet standards and develop 21st century skills; and the way they enhance student learning:
ReplyDeleteI had a year long project with my third grade students. In order to meet the standards for math, in such a short amount of time, my classroom was run as a town. The students had checkbooks, checks, fines, rentals, jobs, etc. By having this project, the students took complete ownership for the learning of the math and the responsiblilites that go along with keeping their "town" up and running. This also provided some real life experience for them. They had to realize that things cost money. They had their own "money" with which they could purchase supplies and fun things.
In order to add the 21st century portion to this, I would have them use debit cards. However, check writing is a third grade standard, it is going to be outdated very soon!
I agree with Meg on the projects allowing a more inquiry based learning. It is my opinion that teachers should be facilitators in most situations. The inquiry based learning makes information become "cemented" in their minds. It allows them to learn at their own pace and on the level they are able to comprehend the information. When they are directly involved they become active in their education.
How can projects help my students meet standards and develop 21st century skills? How can I use projects to enhance student learning?
ReplyDeleteProject based learning helps students meet standards and develope 21st century skills by having them do more than just learn facts and recall them. They learn how to find more related information and then how to apply the information in real life situations.
Project based learning enhances student learning by teaching research skills, team work skills, thinking and problem solving skills.
Projects are a great tool for integrating standards and 21st century skills in the classroom. Multiple standards can be worked on in one project, and most 21st skills can be utilized in a project. 21st skills focus on teamwork and creativity, along with individual responsibility which are what students need to work well with others.
ReplyDeleteProjects are also a way to integrate technology into the learning process. Teachers can facilitate student learning at their pace and stage in a project. This causes students to be motivated to learn in various ways (projects create options for research and presentation through the use of rubrics).
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ReplyDeleteBy providing a rich environment of hands-on projects which require students to problem solve on a daily basis, they experience the 'real world of work - one where there are more problems than answers, more troubleshooting than success and rewards for perseverance and hard work.
ReplyDeleteHow can projects help my students meet standards and develop 21st century skills?
ReplyDeleteHow can I use projects to enhance student learning?
Projects more so than any other learning tool force students to take charge of their own learning. Project based learning creates an atmosphere that reflects a more real world learning environment that is community based. Students learn to work together to achieve their goals. Standards are learned within a context rather than in isolated chunks. The use of technology to facilitate learning is a natural product of project based learning and can be used further enrich the learning experience.
Project based learning is a great way to address the varied skill and technical levels of each individual classroom learner. The goal would be to excite students about learning while developing specific technological as well as academic skills.
ReplyDeleteI feel that projects have the ability to engage students. To learn students must feel that they are a part of the process.
ReplyDeleteIn my past experience sped students have not developed the skills to work together. Last year when I tried small cooperative groups, they needed explicit demonstrations in how to share a task instead of having the most experienced student doing all the work. (Communication and Collaboration). Since all of these students have major reading needs, the projects require just as much reading if not more than some other methods I've tried.
ReplyDeleteHow can projects help my students meet standards and develop 21st century skills? How can I use projects to enhance student learning?
ReplyDeleteI agree with what has been typed above. I also think that projects help a student with more life skills than traditional learning: Using a rubric, following directions, following through, feedback, editing, focus, delving into a subject more thoroughly, synthesizing information, analytical skills, and more. The opportunity for parental involvement is invaluable also, using other sources than school--library, internet, books, experts, elders, etc..
I'm in!
ReplyDeleteProjects help students meet standards and develop 21st century skills by their very nature. Bloom's Taxonomy is a reliable resource for tracking project advancement. Questioning, discovering, analyzing, comparing, evaluating, and summarizing activities, which are incorporated into the projects process, not only enhance student learning, they enhance student collaborative and cooperative skills as well.
ReplyDeleteHow can projects help my students meet standards and develop 21st century skills? How can I use projects to enhance student learning?
ReplyDeleteOne of the many skills my students need going forward in the 21st century are life and career skills. As they move into the workforce the focus should be on problem solving, initiative, self direction, and how to work appropriately and productively together. Using a project based program I hope will help them to create an environment where they are in charge of their learning.
I find that projects are essential to meet state standards. There are SO MANY standards! By creating an in-depth project you may hit several skills simultaneously. If we tried to hit each one of these standards individually, we would run out of time.
ReplyDeleteResearch shows that learning happens by make connections. Project learning enhances and encourages these connections.
Also, class projects give students a sense of direction and purpose to their learning. They have specified goals to meet that go beyond just daily assignments.
I have been implementing project based learning at Northpoint for the last three years. I have seen firsthand how empowered students become about their learning when they are creating, interacting, and exploring individually and collaboratively. One of the most wonderful things about PBL is that the ability to differentiate learning.
ReplyDeleteWell I finally got here - complicated!! Hope the rest of this goes smoothly.
ReplyDeleteProjects are a great way to incorporate several standards and skills all at the same time. It also provides depth and allows for a lot of higher order thinking skills to be implemented and explored. Students are more engaged, feel confidence, and are excited to be a part of the class. If done correctly, students feel like a valued member of a group and expand their thinking on a much deeper level.
ReplyDeleteWith group learning through projects, students tend to take ownership of their own work. Students learn how to divide the required work among group members, schedule deadlines for completed work and work as a cooperative group.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to everyone. You all did great today!
ReplyDeleteProject based learning will enable my students to grow in depth of the standards. It will allow many standards to be covered and it is also an excellent way to me the diversity of not only learning styles but also learning needs of all leaners.
ReplyDeleteHow can projects help my students meet standards and develop 21st century skills?
ReplyDeleteRuby said her sped students didn't know how to work in cooperative groups. I think most students do not know how to work in cooperative groups. Incorporating cooperative groups into the classroom requires the development of shared tasks. Just like the real work there are those who will choose to let someone else do the work. It is important to provide models for cooperative work and assign member individual tasks. As students see how their individual work combines to accomplish their tasks they develop better self-esteem and other skills which will carry on through their education and into the real world.
How can I use projects to enhance student learning?
Identifying specific standards, providing direction, and developing authentic activities will engage students. No one likes being bored. Everyone enjoys success. I believe project based learning involves students in real-world activities, requires engagement, and makes learning fun.
Projects are as close to play (role playing,outlet of creativity, communication skills, etc.)as you can get and still be facilitated learning. Play fosters a love of learning. Projects have the potential to do the same. We all know how critical play was (and is) to learning even as we explore and play with these computer programs to learn about on-line coursework.
ReplyDeleteStandards provide the structure to develop the projects and organize our education ventures for consistency across the state, across the nation. They help us move from A to B with evidence of progress.
Without standards there may be no forward motion. Teacher and students need direction and the standards provide the direction wether or not we like them.
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