Chapter 10 Reflection

1) Discussion on the importance of setting aside time for reflection.

Taking time to reflect helps students feel good about their accomplishments. Reflection can also be the thing that makes learning really stick. While students work on projects and create their own meaning, it's important for them to view the project from all sides, as well as from a distance. Setting aside time for students to reflect helps them reveal things they might not otherwise think about. They will consider what they learned, what they enjoyed about their learning, their growth as learners, and what (and how) they want to learn in upcoming projects. Also offer students the chance to reflect on how the project was personally meaningful.

2) Discussion on the reason students need to reflect and elaborate.

Students should be asked how specific learning behaviors factored into the success of their project. This forces students to consider how they learn the best which will benefit them in all aspects of education. Students should also be asked to reflect on their skill development. This lets them realize new skills they have acquired as well as skills that have developed over the course of the project. Students should be asked about how their collaborations improved as well as how they worked in their group. Considering these things will help them do better in their next group project. Finally, students should also be asked what technology skills they used during the project. This helps them realize all their technology skills as well as things they would still like to learn. Reflecting can also be a great time for students to consider their positive experiences. It's easy for students to gloss over these and consider the negative experiences but considering these can be a great boost of confidence and help students when they begin their next project. As students complete more and more projects, teachers can put more decisions in their hands about the next project. We need to have our students elaborate on their reflections so they can consider what they are wondering about now, what they want to learn next, and how they want to go about it. Teachers just may be surprised by the ambitious projects their students will come up with if they are asked where they want to go next.

3) Discussion on how schools build tradition and identity.

Many schools' identities are directly tied to their traditions. Some schools are known for their sports programs while others are known for their music programs or science programs. If schools want to establish a tradition of excellent project work they have to build awareness in others. Students, families, and the community need to know what the school is all about, and if they do, you have developed a foundation for tradition. When schools have a tradition of project based learning, or an identity built around it, younger students look forward to experiencing the fun they saw their friends or siblings experiencing. Community members also begin to notice and value students' accomplishments and in turn offer their support. Inviting community members to participate in a celebration of learning allows students to share the challenges and the rewards of their hard work. This allows teachers to make friends who understand their schools tradition and identity and who want to support it year after year. Once schools have established a tradition of excellence, students will feel it's a privilege to honor that tradition with their hard work.

4) Discussion on the importance celebrating a project.

Celebrating a project reminds learners of where they have been and what they have gained along the way. It also helps to build your school's identity as a place where kids get to learn through projects. Displaying student work and sharing projects with others gives students a sense of pride in their work. A "Year in Review" event reminds students of all the projects they did month by month. It also encourages students to recall their project experiences. You can even have students create something that exemplifies the year's experiences. Any celebration gives students an opportunity to look back one more time and allows them to acknowledge how their hard work has paid off. It also helps them appreciate those who helped them. Parties that celebrate the end of a project, or the end of a school year, are the last chance to anchor memories in students' minds. As teachers you will learn a lot about what students remember and value. That information will be helpful when planning projects for next year.

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

I agree that it is very important to have students reflect after a project. Sometimes students get so caught up in big assignments or projects that they forget everything they have done or learned. Our project is a big one and it would be easy for our students to forget all the smaller assignments and all the hard work that went into it. I would have my students reflect on the project at the end but I would also have them reflect as the project goes on. I would have them reflect after they made their recipes and cookbooks and after they hosted their dinner. Their ending reflection would be the place for them to really consider everything, especially what they learned. I would also have them think about their strengths and weaknesses throughout the project because that is information they should be aware of in order to be even more successful during the next project.