What Can Teachers and Students Teach Us About Project Base Learning?

          A project where students take it personal; it means something to them while also fulfilling an educational purpose. The educators with the Buck institute for education provide professional development to help schools set up a sustained program of in depth PB throughout a district, network, or state. Ms. Mcintyre  has done this in  seven steps:

1. A need to know
2.A driving question
3.Student voice and choice
4. 21st century skills
5. Inquiry and innovation
6. Feedback
7. A publicly presented product

         There are times when students really want to know in depth what their assigned projects is all about. They are interested  in knowing really, what was on Rosa Parks mind at that very moment when she won't give up her seat on the bus. Among so many others , this is a real world event, that triggered the thoughts of so many students. It takes more than a worksheet to cover some of out world events. Sometimes just one question asked by the teacher will cause the class to began to have an open discussion, because the question is a driven question. Some projects are very meaningful to students. Sometimes the students should have a choice so that they will have a voice in the matter ,this is what Ms. McIntyre believes. 21st century skills can only trigger 21 century learning. Ms. McIntyre's class worked in teams and begin planning. The students used rubrics that the teacher helped them develop. They also used time and task organizers, practiced oral presentations skills and learned to produce videos and pod casts. Students do research to find answers to their questions in books, articles, websites, and if possible calling an expert on the subject. students critique on one an other's work. this is a great part of learning. Revising during a project does make learning more meaningful. This is the only way to improve a students project. Students don't mind showing off their work. A well out together project will mean the world to them and their teacher.

Project Based Learning for teachers by Tony Vincent a good overview of standards and PBL

          

        Tony Vincent really asked two very important questions. Teacher do you want to make you classroom more centered and learning meaningful? just to name a few facts coming from his video. Teachers must use technology,  Power points, School tube, Movie Maker, Google Docs, and PB works. Teachers must reach students, work over time, answer driven questions, investigate, promote sharing, common core standards these techniques can reach students must also, take charge of their learning and never forget to refine their classwork.

         Even in PE ,project based learning can take place, through problem solving challenge, working as a team or as individuals. High school students have been to create a fitness plan that they can use not only at school, but in their everyday lives. The NASPE has six standards. These include:

1. " Demonstrates competency in motor skills and movement patterns needed to perform a variety of physical activities."

2. " Demonstrates understanding of movement concepts"

3. " Participates regularly in physical activity"

4. " Achieves and maintains a health-enhancing level of physical fitness"

5." Exhibits responsible personal and social behavior that respect self and others"

6. " values physical activity for health, enjoyment, challenge, self-expression, and social interaction"

      These standards exhibit PBL because, theses are standards that can help the students health for the rest of their lives.

           Two Students solve the case of the watery ketchup by designing a new cup. All students love ketcup. When the bottle is turned over the water always comes first. This is not good for the hot dogs or fries. The students designed a device that looked like a mushroom or " the shroom." Basically what the students got out of this project was just having fun. There are two important thing's I've learned about Project Based Learning. Teachers must be open minded and willing to be patient using many sources to get the project done. Students will always feel when they have a choice in planning their project, and how having enough time to get the project done correctly. when doing this the teachers and students have space to grow

Project 12 Part A

Project 14

Project 14 Rubric
Project 14 Calendar
Project 14 Project Planner

Project 9

Blog Post 8

      What can we learn about teaching and learning?
       By: Randy Pausch
       " Really Achieving Childhood Dreams"

       In Randy Pausch final lecture he said, I am not in denial about my condition, so he humored the audience by doing push ups before he really got started with his lecture. He let the audience know that he was really in good shape. He spoke about really achieving your childhood dreams. His list of childhood dreams include: being in zero gravity, playing in the NFL, winning and collecting stuff animals, being captain Kirk, author world book Encyclopedia and a Walt Disney imagineer. I would like to write about three of his childhood dreams.

       He never got to play in the NFL, but he learned from his coach that having a good foundation was more important than just throwing a football. Randy was really pushed and screamed at during practice. The assistant coach, Bradley, told him if your not doing well and no one corrects you its time to get concerned; that means they have given up o you. The coach pushed him to achieve. Not going to the NFL was not the most important thing, but getting the NFL experience was more important. This was what  brought out his good character and hard working ability. 

       One of his childhood dreams involved meeting his childhood idol Captain Kirk. Captain Kirk didn't always make the right decisions, but he had great leadership abilities. One of those abilities was the ability to never give up; because of this Kirk was able to lead his crew to many victories.

       Randy also talked about how he always wanted to be a Walt Disney imagineer. He filled out an application to work with the imagineer program, but he was denied. He made a statement about going pass the brick walls, he said they were there just to see how bad we really wanted what we wanted. He also enabled childhood dreams for others. He started a class building virtual worlds. He had 50 students, 5 projects a semester, they also used weak computers, but it happened. His first project for his class really impress him, he wanted to see, if they could do better. He talk to another professor to see what to do. Randy basically let him know don't set a boundary, push for more. To me this is(PBL) Project Based Learning. There was a message that Dr. Strange left for us on our blog that reminds me of this, he said you did great, but you can do better.

       Randy had a project where kids were having fun learning something hard. He also said the best way to teach someone is to allow them to think they are learning something else. He also believed in learning from students. His lessons learned list are things I won't forget, always help others, loyalty is a two way street, vouch foe people you believe in, tell the truth, be earnest, apologize when you screw up, focus on others not always yourself, show gratitude, don't complain, wok hard, be prepared, and find the best n everyone. At the end of the lecture he said it was basically how to lead your life , and the talk was for his kids. 

C4ta#2-Summary/Comment - C4tp-Post #4 - Summary/Comment, Jeff Delp

Jeff with the kids of Good Neighbor Orphanage  NGTD- Not Getting things Done


It seems as if honesty and struggling sometimes go together. Your correct, all good things like innovation, engaged learning, excellent behavior, and growth are not happening in every ones classroom, or school. In some of our schools it just the opposite, especially kids that end up with kids being placed in an orphanage.You have to be a special person, to have a desire to work with orphans, because sometimes they have some emotional problems because of their situation. I don't think being a principal is an easy job. You spoke about not being able to call the kids names when you greet then every morning, with some of these kids, just speaking with a smile means the world to them. I'm sure your staff must be pretty special also, if they were not dedicated, I don't believe they would still be there. Funding is a problem in most schools, public and private, so don't think it's strange that you are facing this problem. Your doing the right thing, stay focused on the students. It is a distinct pleasure to work with teachers and students at an orphanage school. How else would you really know, what type of strength you really have. To sum you up, an excellent, dedicated principal, with the same type of staff. Keep up the good work.

Comment: You don't always have to know how to do it to get it done. The bright side is, you tackled it, and only good can come from it. Don't quit Jeff.


C4tp post # 4

The Marginalization of Children - Summary


I feel like you, that every student deserves a quality education. We can discuss funding all day, in fact, it has been the topic brought before our government officials. They came to the same conclusion, maybe fund this school now, and get to the others later.That later just got later, and later, and later.until it never got to the other schools. No child left behind does not only mean academics but, also attendance, lets make sure the students get on roll to help with funding. Money doesn't always guarantee positive changes or success in education. As for the students with learning disabilities, don't worry parents , your child will be guaranteed n IEP,breakfast and lunch. As for their academic success,there is a lack in resources. All kids deserve a quality education, eve if it takes a quality charter school, but are they prepared and willing to meet the needs of all students.

Comment

Yes, all kids deserve a quality education.I really don't like putting students in a category, because of there economic status.Things are still a little better now than they use to be.

Summary Essay

       Throughout life, people are always influenced in some way by others. This is what helps us grow in many areas. I can say that. i have been awakened in some areas concerning technology, and how learning has changed since i graduated from high school. I still believe that technology is the going thing. It is my way out the world at my fingertips \, and the best way to teach students. Project based learning(PBL) has opened up a world of understanding. It pushes you to learn and to show what you have learned, through, community based lessons, and a world of technology. Who would have thought that kindergartners would have been doing imovie book trailers on their own, and wanting to make sure that their projects are correct before it is presented. We are coming up in a day and time where we as adults must listen to students, when it comes to technology. The teacher teach students ans the students teach teachers. It seems to me that the motto for Gulf Shores Elementary School could be, we are all learners. The student seem to be determined that nothing will stop them from enjoying learning. My weakness is technology, but i am determined like these students to learn. I am some what afraid of technology because i don't fully know ow to use it. After taking EDM310 the fear is leaving. I can't throw away what I have learned, I must add to it, by using technology as often as i can. I realize after receiving my degree and being placed in a school to teach 2nd grade, if I get struck in a spot using technology, i will have a classroom full of eager, helpful students and a supportive staff of teachers.

       Students in Tammy Shirley 1st grade classroom where taught to be organized. Even after the organizers where not complete, the students still went into their desk and began to do their research on their own . Some of the students were allowed to get their hands dirty, by doing their first imovie as a class. The students planted seeds and waited to see what was going to come up. What kind of fruit, vegetable or flower would bloom. The students even sung a beautiful song entitled " Earth we're in it together forever". The song brought out ways to help save the earth by saving water, land, and air. My strengths are I have always loved to work with children. I've driven a special needs school bus 20 yrs, and have been a substitute teacher off an on 18 of those years. I have a drive in me to have my own classroom surrounded with PBL equipment.I'm looking forward to graduating in 2017, but i am especially anxious to become a helpful and compassionate, PBL equipped teacher.
       

How do we become Learners?            

        we become learners first by admitting to others and ourselves that we just don't know everything there is to know about different situations in our lives, This includes technology. We must be willing to listen, Follow instruction, and obey. By doing these things it will allow us to be like sponges, soft and ever so squishy willing to soak things in