Reflection 11

1. Description of what occurs as a result of using the Project-based learning approach.

Project based learning is a system that engages the students attention into the learning process. Students will gain knowledge and skills by working in a project that has a limited time. Moreover, students will have a time to investigate and answer to a complex problem that requires them a cooperation effort. In fact, project based learning has essential elements such as significant content, 21st century competencies, in-depth inquiry, driving question, needing to know, making choice, audience feedback and presentation. Significant content let the students know the important information, and one thing led to another until they understand the key concepts of the academic subject. In 21st century competencies, students will be able to solving problem, thinking critical, collaborating with the team work. As a result, they will improve their communication skills besides the creativity of solving the problems. The project would be done perfectly if the students do some research, asking questions, and using resources in order to provide a good solution. Communication would be the best part to get the feedback from the audience.  Students may need to do further revisions or inquiry due to the feedback they receive.  Using project based learning would help the learners to be more active in the classroom. The fact that I support the idea of using project based learning in the school or in the business because it might help the learners to be more creative of providing answers. All these activities have to be done by the use of technology, which makes the learning process more effective to the students. In sum, project based learning motivates the students to work as a group to reach the best solution of their assessment.

2. Discussion on ways to “bring your project home”.

·         Providing reflection of the project.

·         Giving feedback.

·         Working on professional development.

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

I would defiantly prefer using project based learning in any project I will have as assignment. In fact, it makes me enjoy doing research and integrating my work with technology.  

Chapter 11 Reflection: Bringing it Home

1. Description of what occurs as a result of using the Project-Based Learning.

• By using Project-Based learning, it can open a door to a variety of future projects. As time goes on it's always good to reflect back and see what really worked in the projects and maybe what could be done differently the next time. Teachers often have noticed a transformation in students' learning. By learning about different technology that Project-Based activities offer, students can use what they've learned an apply them to other classes or future projects. This learning style is really allowing students to adapt to the changing environment we live in. Some don't want to admit it but educational resources are moving towards technology resources faster and faster. 

2. Discussion on ways to "bring your project home."

• To bring your project home you can come together as a class and do a reflection on the project they accomplished. Capitalize on your investment - what helped make the project successful. Critique your work - use your colleagues and yourself to draw out each other's best ideas for improvement by putting together a project debrief. This allows teachers to gain an opportunity for conversation and professional growth. Share your insights - find ways to share your project with other colleagues. Become a resource for your colleagues - think about what you've learned through designing the project and consider turning your experience into a professional development opportunity for your colleagues. Enter a contest - by doing this it gives you a chance to put your best work forward which will gain exposure to your project(s). An opportunity for critical feedback may be presented to you as well. And last, just enjoy the journey - wrap up your project in any way you'd like, but remember to take the time to remember how far you've came and what project/ideas may be presented to you in the future. 

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

• This chapter relates to our project because it has opened new resources for not only this particular topic but for other classes. It has allowed me to collaborate with my group and create a blog, website, lesson plans, digital stories, the list goes on. This chapter wraps up how well our group worked together and allows us to reflect back on all the mini projects we completed to put into our big project. 

Reflection Chapter 10 - Celebrating and Reflecting

1. Discussion on the importance of setting aside time for reflection.
• Setting aside time for reflecting on projects is important because it helps students feel good about their accomplishments, but more importantly, reflection can be the thing that makes learning really stick!
2. Discussion on the reason students need to reflect and elaborate.
• During projects, students experience challenges, frustrations, and joy. Encouraging them to think about how their own creativity came into play to move through the project may help them remember techniques to use in future projects. Prompting students to remember the humor and compassion during the project is important to help outshine the issues found during the project process.In the end, this can help students see how joyous and gratifying the learning journey can be through recalling their positive experiences.
3. Discussion on how schools build tradition and identity.
• Many schools' identities are tied to their traditions. When a school can establish a tradition of exemplary project work, this can help build awareness to others: families, the community, and students in lower grades. This creates a foundation for tradition. Younger Students will be ready for the learning that awaits them in futur project-based classrooms. The Community will start to notice and value students' accomplishments, they will give you enthusiastic support. It is important to remember to think of ways to showcase the projects that will establish your identity as a community of learners!
4. Discussion on the importance celebrating a project.
• When celebrating a project, you can show students' work, create an event, create a blog, and even create a party. Celebrating learning is important to the student as well as building the school's identity as a place where students are able to learn through projects.
5. Discussion on how concepts in this chapter relate to your topic/project.
• It is important to remember as a teacher that students need praise (celebration) to show that their hard work on their projects are important. It is also important for teachers to remember that reflection on projects helps students to see what their own strengths are and help them to be excited for future learning projects. With our students, hopefully we can use these techniques to help motivate the students to excel in the project-based learning that could possibly create a tradition that helps create an identity for the school.

Reflection #10

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

Reflection requires the students to have time in order to give appropriate reasons. Moreover, students will have time to provide their opinion just to make sure of what they have done. Also, setting aside time might help the students to look at their classmate reflections, which give them the experience to understand the other opinions. 

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

Students need to reflect and elaborate because of the fact that reflecting and elaborating are an important parts of project based learning. As a teacher, students have to experience something new besides doing research. When my learners elaborate they are going to improve in some certain area as taking care of the time in every step of their project. Also, reflection is going to help them to in the way of expressing their feeling about their accomplishment.   

3.   Discussion on how schools build tradition and identity.

The foundations of any school tradition are students, their families and community around them. In fact, each school has their own tradition and identity. To illustrate, you can find some school that focus and teach certain majors such as engineering, sport, and so on.    

4.   Discussion on the importance celebrating a project.

Celebrating a project is an important thing that teacher can do for learners. When the students celebrating, they might feel proud of what their accomplishment. Teachers might celebrating the students’ final work by showing the final product in the social media. Moreover, teachers might give some prize to the students who have been working hard as reward of their work.

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

Reflection would be my best part due to the fact it makes me express my thought about the reading part. Reading reflection guide me to look to the subject from different aspect, which helps me to do more research and understand in order to understand the topic.  

Chapter 10 Reflection: Celebrating & Reflecting

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

• The text says it best, classes barely finish one learning experience before moving on to the next. By taking the time to reflect on projects/topics it gives students the time to take in all the information they've learned and really let it stick to their knowledge. When classes move on before reflecting I often wonder how often students actually remember what they learned. Not only does reflecting allow students to feel accomplished in what they've learned and done on the topic but it can also help them with future projects and topics that may arise in their future academics.

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

• It's important for students to reflect and elaborate because this allows them to be more successful in future projects. By having students reflect and elaborate you can see what they've learned on the particular topic or project. Teachers can ask questions such as: What does this get you wondering about next? What do you want to learn now, and how do you want to go about it? Be sure to ask your students where they want to go on a topic, some answers could yield a more ambitious project than you would imagine. 

3. Discussion on how schools build tradition and identity.

• There are many ways schools build their own traditions and identity. For example, some schools are known for their sports achievements. Inspiring teachers can leave their tradition for younger students who look forward to their class based off what they've heard about the teacher. As community members recognize students' accomplishments, they will give them enthusiastic support. Regardless of the tradition or identity, when families, the community, and students come together you have a foundation for a tradition. Build your school's identity as a place where students get to learn through projects.

4. Discussion on the importance celebrating a project.

• Celebrating a project that students have done is very important because it showcases students' accomplishments. This also allows you to anchor memories in students' minds. Teachers can celebrate projects in a variety of different ways such as showing students' work on a blog, creating an event or holding a party. Big or small, it's important that you celebration has the following: an opportunity to look back on more time, acknowledgment of how hard work and commitment contributed to the success of the project and a culture of excellence at your school, appreciation for those who helped, a display of learning, including both student creations and presentations, a look inside the learners with opportunities for them to talk about their processes and growth, and an opportunity to showcase projects to colleagues, administration, parents, and others in your larger learning community (p. 155). 

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

• This chapter relates to our project because in a way we are celebrating what we've accomplished thus far in our blog. We are also sharing this blog with a larger learning community including our teachers and other classmates. We can also look back on our blog and reflect and elaborate on what we have learned over the past several weeks. 

Final Concept Map

Reflection 9

1-      Description of a method of understanding prior-knowledge of students.

There are several ways that helps the teachers understand the students’ background in any topic such as:

·         Students’ performance based on prior knowledge.

·         Self-assessment in prior knowledge.

·         Concept map.

·         Test.

·          KWL chart.

2-      Discussion on the importance of establishing anchors for a project.

Anchors is one of the most helpful technique that teachers can use as a guide to assess the students’ performance. Also, it helps the teacher to know how the students are doing in their project. As a result, they are able to help the students based on their needs.

3-      Description of several ways to assess what students learned during the project.

·         Making a model of real world.

·         Competition,

·         Doing classroom project

·         Submitting of publication.

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

I like in this chapter how to know the students prior knowledge. In fact, understanding the students previous information help me as a teacher to assess and improve the learners’ performance.