Reading Reflection #8

1.) Extending the learning experience beyond the classroom is something that will definitely benefit the students! One excellent way to do this is by blogging. Blogs provide the students with a space where their voices can be heard. On blogs, students are able to communicate different thoughts and ideas with other students and even teachers. Blogs can also be used by students to connect with content experts, to reflect on their own learning, and to engage in global conversations that would not otherwise take place. Often students will be more motivated to put in hard work when they know that other people will be observing their work. One way that the students can connect with a real audience is by creating a digital story. As I mentioned before, connecting students with experts is a great way for your students to branch out beyond the classroom. As teachers, it's important that we prepare our students before they communicate with experts. Connecting students with other students across the globe is another great way to branch out your students beyond the classroom. They can do this by means of a blog or maybe even a Skype video call; these are both excellent ways that your students can collaborate with students from far away.


2.) The EAST (Environmental and Spatial Technologies) Initiative is composed of a network of schools that have been demonstrating the benefits of using technology for a real purpose...to solve problems and make actual improvements in their communities. The projects that EAST students work on make use of geospatial technologies and multimedia tools that are often found in professional labs, but yet the students are able to operate them. EAST students are often familiar using tools technologies such as GIS, GPS, & CAD.
The EAST model is built on four essential ideas, all of which were part of the original design:
1. Student-driven learning: Students need to be responsible for their own learning.
2. Authentic project-based learning: Students should be engaged in solving real problems in their communities.
3. Technology as tools: Students need access to the relevant technologies that professionals use to solve real problems.
4. Collaboration: When students collaborate in teams to pursue authentic projects, they accomplish more than any one person can do in isolation.


3.) There are several good reasons as to why you should occasionally let your students "lead" their projects. One reason is that they will most likely pick a topic that they're really interested in. By choosing a topic that really interests them, they will probably put in more work than they normally would for a teacher assigned project. Allowing your students to do work on a topic that they're passionate about will benefit both you and the student. Another benefit to letting the students "lead" their project is that you, as a teacher, won't have to micromanage each individual project. By letting students "lead" their own projects, they have a chance to take on their own learning; as teachers, it's important that we're still there to support them every step of the way.


4.) This chapter directly relates to our group project. The number one thing that sticks out is the title of the chapter: "Expanding Your Circle." For our project, we're having our students communicate with another class of students in Sochi, Russia. Our plans are to have them communicate with each other via Skype video chat. This will give them an excellent opportunity to experience what it's like to collaborate with others from across the globe. Also, we are going to create a blog for our student. This will give them a space where they can talk about important concepts and explain new ideas with other students in the class. Overall, this chapter is a very helpful resource for our group project.

References

• Boss, Suzie, and Jane Krauss. Reinventing Project-based Learning: Your Field Guide to Real-world Projects in the Digital Age. Eugene, Or.: International Society for Technology in Education, 2007. Print.