Reading Reflection #2

1.    Discussion on the focus of Learning Communities.

A learning community is when a group of people, either peers or other colleagues, comes together to try to solve a problem or issue that will benefit the community. Not only do learning communities work together to resolve issues, but also they are always learning about each other’s differences, learning how to learn.

2.    Discussion on the benefits of Learning Communities.

Although it may not seem like it at first, there are actually a number of benefits when working in a group. Working with others allows you use your colleagues, or group members, as sounding boards. It’s always helpful to get a second, or third, opinion, and when working in a group you have someone else to brainstorm with, reflect with, and plan with. When working in a learning community, you are not only learning about working together, but you’re also learning more about the topic you are working to resolve.

3.    Discussion on how Learning Communities affect teachers.

Teachers can especially benefit from learning communities in multiple ways. By working with a group of people, teachers can learn more about the topic at hand, gaining multiple perspectives on the same issue. It’s always important to get different points of view on a potential plan or idea, and by learning about more than one element of a topic, you’ll gain more insight on whether or not the plan is beneficial to the classroom or the community.

4.    Discussion on how Learning Communities affect students.

Students will benefit from learning communities in a similar way to Project Based Learning. Students will first learn the skills required to work with others toward a similar goal. Learning communities allow students to discover that their peers have information and ideas to offer, that they might not have though of themselves. When combining both learning communities and project based learning, students will be exposed to real-world experiences in a structured environment (the classroom).

5.    Discussion on the components for shared vision in Learning Communities.

Learning communities have a strong vision of helping others learn how to learn. When combining different minds on the same topic or issue, each mind will expand the topic in a different direction, allowing new ideas and possibilities. Not only do members of a learning community need to share their ideas and knowledge, but they also have the responsibility of sharing tasks. The vision of a learning community is for everyone to accept responsibility for their own participation, working toward bettering the community.

6.    Discussion on how concepts in this chapter relate to your topic/project.

In our “classroom kitchen” group, we are working together to come up with a fun, yet educational, model to help students get excited about food. We are combining our skill sets and knowledge to explore different possibilities, such as creating a classroom cookbook, learning about what types of food different cultures eat, or holding a bake sale in the classroom.

Chapter 2 Reflection

1.             Discussion on the focus of Learning Communities.

Creating learning communities means making time for new ways of working with colleagues. They are focused on engaging in ongoing, collaborative problem solving that will benefit the whole community. Individuals learn new patterns of thinking, how to capitalize on the wisdom of their group, and how to learn together. Teachers in learning communities will accomplish this by observing others’ classroom interactions, and giving each other critical feedback.

Learning communities are focused on three big student-centered ideas: ensure that students learn, create a culture of collaboration for school improvement, and focus on results. Teachers in learning communities no longer focus on what they teach; they focus on what their students learn.

2.             Discussion on the benefits of Learning Communities.

There are many benefits of learning communities. There is decreased teacher isolation because teachers are encouraged to work and problem solve together. This leads to increased commitment to the mission of educating young students. Teachers are also able to share responsibility while being engaged in more powerful group learning. Students also experience more powerful learning because of the collaborative thinking their teachers bring to the classroom. Finally, there is a higher likelihood of fundamental, systematic change when teachers work together.

3.             Discussion on how Learning Communities affect teachers.

Teachers no longer feel isolated when working in learning communities. They learn new patterns of thinking, how to capitalize on the knowledge of their group members, and how to work with their group members. They are able to watch others’ classroom interactions and are given the chance to give constructive feedback. The opposite is also true, they are able to be observed and receive constructive feedback from others. Teachers are able to participate in group learning while sharing responsibilities. They are also able to generate wider change while working within a group.

4.             Discussion on how Learning Communities affect students.

Students receive more powerful learning because of the collaborative learning their teachers experience. They also benefit from the fact that their learning is their teacher’s focus. Teachers involved in learning communities are also more likely to use project-based learning in their classrooms because the two are very similar. Students benefit from this relevant group work just like their teachers do. They learn to learn together, and they learn skills required in the real world, skills like: communication, problem solving, project management, motivation, and persistence.

5.             Discussion on the components for shared vision in Learning Communities.

All members in the learning community need to have a clear sense of mission and share a vision of the conditions they must create to achieve the mission. They must also work together in collaborative teams to determine the best practice to achieve the mission. Members should be organized into groups headed by teacher-leaders and they should focus on student learning while being goal and results oriented. They should collaborate with each other and hold shared values and beliefs. Finally, they should commit themselves to continuous improvement and see themselves as life-long learners.

6. Discussion on how concepts in this chapter relate to your topic/project.

           

Teachers in learning communities can collaborate on anything going on in their classrooms or their school. Since our topic is classroom kitchen and catering there are many projects that teachers could collaborate on. For example, teachers could work together to create a cookbook for their grade, to develop lessons about nutrition, to put together a bake sale, to develop lessons about kitchen safety, to develop lessons about cooking fun recipes, or to develop lessons about other cultures recipes.

Collaborative Concept Map

Hello!
I was just wondering what you guys wanted to do about the collaborative concept map that is due on Friday. Only one of us has to turn it in right? Has anyone started it? I know I didn't get much done in class and I can't make it to the open lab on Friday to do it because I have to work. I think I remember someone saying they would complete the first one but I could be mistaken. I haven't looked at the other assignments but I thought we could get this figured out first! Thanks!
Taelor

Reading Reflection #1

1.    Discussion on what you need to keep in mind as you start the journey through Project-Based Learning (PBL).

When leaning toward Project-Based Learning as a teaching/learning approach, it’s important to keep in mind that this won’t be a standard learning experience. While most students learn lessons from a textbook or lecture, Project-Based Learning transitions to using real-world experiences. Just as the name states, this type of learning approach involves projects, a hands-on approach to actually give students experience, instead of simply telling them information.

2.    Discussion on the overall benefits of the PBL approach.

When journeying through PBL, the teacher’s role takes a major shift. No longer is the teacher the “all-knowing” body in the classroom, rather, the teacher acts as a guide and a sounding board for the students. Instead of the relying on the teacher, students are encouraged and expected to work through a problem with their peers first, to see if they can approach and solve a problem based on speculation and peer assistance. Of course, the teacher is always available for guidance or questions. PBL does not solely rely on a textbook for instruction – students are encouraged to use technology and other resources to help them work through a problem.

3.    Discussion on the benefits to students who participate in PBL.

Many students are told, even through college, that once they enter “the real world,” they will have to work in groups with colleagues. PBL is a learning approach that encourages group work, and prepares students for working on the same issue with multiple people. It can sometimes be difficult to work with other people on a problem, but PBL offers many different roles to be filled. By using PBL, students will get practice in each role and may find where they are the most gifted.

4.    Discussion on what issues need to be considered in PBL approach.

With such a dramatic shift in the teacher’s role, it may be a struggle to develop this more open relationship with students. PBL requires a very open and trusting relationship between the students and teacher. Because students are being held responsible for their learning, it’s important the teacher trusts the students will make the most of their time and put forth their best effort. In addition, the students must feel they can trust the teacher to guide them in the right direction if they get too far off track.

Although technology is being incorporated in almost every school and workplace, many are still convinced that it is a distraction from academics or work ethic. One of the biggest struggles with PBL seems to be convincing parents to support the use of technology, rather than rely completely on a textbook or lecture for information.

5.    Discussion on New Technology High as an example of New Technology Model.

PBL is what “drives the entire curriculum model,” and the entire school, both staff and students, support PBL. There is a very intimate atmosphere between the students & teachers, creating a very safe, and fun, learning environment. New Technology High integrates technology like no other school. Rarely do the students use textbooks, but rather store all of their projects on a server, which can be located on any server. Students and teachers are always working together to help and support each other’s learning. Small class sizes allow for focused attention on students, ensuring their ideas are being shared and the students are being accurately assessed.

Chapter 1 Reflection

1.    Discussion on what you need to keep in mind as you start the journey through Project-Based Learning (PBL).

As teachers, we need to remember that today’s students are connected to technology in almost every aspect of their lives. Therefore, they are more than capable of using new tools in the classroom. We also need to remember that new projects are worth the effort put into them. This will require change but it will be change for the better. Sometimes it’s easy to just think of our students as students but we need to remember that they too live and learn in the real world. The more we connect projects to the real world, the more passionate students will be and the harder they will work. Finally, we need to keep in mind that new contexts will encourage the project approach.

2.    Discussion on the overall benefits of the PBL approach.

The projects become the centerpiece of the curriculum. They are not simply an add-on, so the time put into developing these projects is well worth it. Students engage in real-world activities and practice strategies that will benefit them later in life. They also work together and choose their own topics, so they are more passionate and invested in what they are learning. Technology is integrated into the classroom in many different ways. Students use it for discovery, collaboration, and communication while teachers use it to reach their learning goals in new ways. Collaboration among teachers also increases as they work together to design and implement projects in their classrooms.

3.    Discussion on the benefits to students who participate in PBL.

Students develop good communication skills as well as the ability to work well with others. They also develop good inquiry skills, which lead them to wonder and learn about many other things. Students learn to be flexible with their time while also realizing that others are relying on them. Therefore, they gain a better understanding of how the world works. Finally, they learn that individuals can change the world through the communication with and understanding of others.

4.    Discussion on what issues need to be considered in PBL approach.

Teachers first need to consider their learning goals. We need rethink our expectations for our students in a project-based learning environment. We also need to rethink the way we interact with our students. Project-based learning takes the focus away from the teacher, which will change how we talk to our students. We also need to be ready to give our students more freedom, they have to learn to manage their own assignments. We will need to reevaluate how to assess our students throughout the learning process and how that relates to what we collect from them. These changes will also affect how we communicate with parents and colleagues. We will need to be ready to explain our reasoning for using project-based learning. Finally, we will need to consider the physical arrangement of our classroom, it needs to encourage teamwork and collaboration.

5.     Discussion on New Technology High as an example of New Technology Model.

The book stated that at New Technology High, “Collaboration is a given for both students and teachers”. I think this statement does a great job of summing up what project-based learning is all about. In a typical classroom, students depend on the teachers feeding them information. There is no collaboration among the students and teachers, and the students rarely get the change to work together. However, at New Technology High students think critically, work as a part of a team, and use technology to help them solve problems. It only makes sense that the learning would be more personalized and therefore more meaningful. I also love the fact that the projects are based on real-world learning, something that is very beneficial to students becoming adults. Finally, I liked that technology is widely available but not the main focus. Students aren’t simply learning about technology, they are using technology as a tool to solve much larger problems.

Reflection #1

1.     Discussion on what you need to keep in mind as you start the journey through Project-Based Learning (PBL).

- As you start PBL you need to keep an open mind with this approach because it is very different from the traditional PBL. The traditional learning classroom is turned upside down with this new “21st-century learning”. Teachers and students need to be ready to overcome old boundaries and limitations of old classrooms. They also need be ready to maximize their creativity and the use of digital tools. 

2.     Discussion on the overall benefits of the PBL approach.

-       PBL opens more doors to new approaches to projects. Learners can make instant findings and global connections through tools such as the Internet. PBL is a positive alternative way of learning that gets students up out of their desks and more involved in the classroom. This approach gives students a view of what most future jobs will be like.

3.     Discussion on the benefits to students who participate in PBL.

- Students get to investigate open-ended questions and apply their knowledge to produce authentic products. Students also get to participate in student choice, active learning, and teamwork. In the real-world work place, most work you will have to do will involve interactions with other people to get work projects done. This is why teamwork is important to learn in the classroom.

4.     Discussion on what issues need to be considered in PBL approach.

        - PBL is a big change for older teachers to grasp and understand so it could be challenging to get accustomed to.

5.     Discussion on New Technology High as an example of New Technology Model.

      - I believe that the Singapore education motto, “Teach Less, Learn More” is a great motto for PBL. It shows the gap between teaching and learning and how the gap should be closed by collaboration, participation, and creativity. 

Reading Reflection #1

1.Discussion on what you need to keep in mind as you start the journey through Project-Based Learning (PBL).
The main thing we need to remember is that students these days need to learn from real world situations. Projects can be used to bring out those real-world scenerios and students are "up to the challenge" (at least says the book).

2. Discussion on the overall benefits of the PBL approach.
When students start PBL the teacher is no longer the expert. The students start to pursue their own questions. This completely changes the learning invironment, with different kinds of discussions, debates, and ideas. It also teaches students and the teacher different ways to use technology in the ways they do research and teach.

3.Discussion on the benefits to students who participate in PBL.
Projects make students work together to solve real world problems. Also the students get to pick a topic that they enjoy, which gets the students truly excited to work and find meaning in what they are doing.

4.Discussion on what issues need to be considered in PBL approach.
The biggest one I found was getting parents and colleagues on-board with using technology instead of the good-ole-fashioned textbook. Also how you talk and engage with students, it will take some adjusting but it is something that a teacher needs to keep in mind when using PBL as an approach. Lastly, what you use as your artifacts from projects and how you assess the students. Assessment is a big thing in teaching that needs to happen a lot to make sure the students are understanding everything.

5.Discussion on New Technology High as an example of New Technology Model.
It is small and the students and staff know each other on a personal basis. "Everything we do is based on research". Computers are available to every student. "Technology is consistently viewed as a tool rather than as the focus of learning."

Eating Time

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Hi guys. My name is Taelor.