Reading Reflection 1

When starting Project-Based Learning (PBL) any teacher needs to know that there are going to challenges, and some uphill battles; especially if they are the only one or of few in the school using PBL.  Teachers also need to remember that students love and learn in the real world; literally most children have the world at their fingertips and don’t even know it. Students are up for the challenge; they are raised in and thrive in the technology world. Using PBL the student and teacher gain more knowledge on any given topic because the project takes them where they want to learn, not only what is needed to learn. After all of the self doubts, trials and discouraging moments, the project will be worth it, they will change a student’s thinking and thought process, and it may even change them. Students will learn new tools to expand their knowledge, allow for global connections, open more doors for active communication, better prepare teamwork skills and strategies, think critically, and use technology as a tool for problem solving.

When implementing a PBL there are cautions that need to be thought about and addressed. Students must learn to find out what is real information and what is someone’s thought. Modification of the goals and objective of a project may need multiple times depending on the course of the project. The classroom roles may change, the traditional idea that the teacher stands in front of the rooms and speaks might evolve into the students teaching each other while the teacher provides the framework. Communication skills will change, be ready to change with it; emails, blogs, online questionnaires, etc.

The New Technology Model used at New Technology High is an amazing and innovative approach to non-traditional learning. As stated before almost every student in the United States has access to the outside world via technology. Instead of fighting it off or just adding it to the curriculum this school has embraced it, and made it relatable, accountable, and a lifelong learning tool for their students. I whole heartedly agree on the grading scale that feedback is presented on multiple aspects of a project, because there are certain areas of a project that will be better than others, and students need to know where to focus their attention to strengthen their weaknesses. Teacher collaboration, shared planning hours, and staff meeting that focus on the students is something that I feel other public and private schools are missing. As a whole every teacher in every school, district, county, state and nation are working at the same goal; providing our students with the best education we possibly can to turn out people who continue to seek knowledge with the given tools to make successful decisions for themselves, their families, and the world that they live in. By creating and fostering an environment that promotes teamwork the students see that and begin to replicate it.  It will only be a few years from now the ideas from New Technology High will be integrated into every school nationwide.

***Response to questions 1-3 are included in the first paragraph