Reading Reflection #11

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

There are several positives about using the Project-Based Learning Approach when teaching and doing projects in the classroom. Several of these include: ubiquity, deep learning, making things visible and discussable, expressing ourselves, sharing ideas, building a classroom community, collaboration – teaching and learning with others, research and information fluency, project management, reflection and iteration, critical thinking, problem solving, decision making, digital citizenship, and technology operations and concepts. Students are able to accumulate so many different types of skills that are required for success in life and for the 21^st century and the future job market. Students that participate in PBL are better prepared for college and are more likely to succeed in academics than students who aren’t exposed to the Project-Based Learning Approach.

When it comes to ubiquity students are able to be in any situation and learn from it. They are able to recognize when they are immersed into a learning experience and how to go about taking useful information from it. Seeing as students are continuously researching, reflecting and discussing their project ideas they have become fluent in doing so, which gives them the upper hand when it comes time to do projects for any class in the future.

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

By using PBL in your classroom you are able to create real-world experiences with your students that they will remember for a life time. Each aspect covered in this learning approach helps students and teachers build vivid memories, create documents and artifacts that they are able to look back at and use for future learning purposes and provide them with skills that they are able to use in the future to help them further succeed in their lives.

Now that the project is coming to an end you are able to reflect on the things that were challenging and the things that went smoothly to help aide in the creation of the next project. Reflecting on what you’ve learned through this experience also gives you the opportunity to share your insights with other colleagues, parents and students alike.  

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

All of the concepts from chapter 11 relate to our project that we’ve been working on throughout this semester. Our “students” will be receiving all of the skills that I mentioned in the first question including: project management, ubiquity, research and information fluency and etc. Being in this class we are also being exposed to all of the positive concepts that come with the Project-Based Learning Approach.

Being able to “bring our project home” is a great skill to have because we now know how to make our own websites, blogs, digital stories, podcasts and etc. This class has given us the chance to learn a great deal in a short time and I know that I’ll remember each of these skills and be able to use them in the future.