Week 5 Blog
- Will your classroom environment support learning through technology-enhanced project-based learning? How?
- The Chula Vista school uses innovative strategies to support the needs of its multilingual student population through the use of technology-enhanced project-based learning. What are the implications for your classroom?
- How do computers in the classroom facilitate shifting from a whole-group mentality to an individual-child mentality and change the role of the teacher? How can you prepare yourself to make the change?
I am hoping that in my future classroom I can incorporate technology-enhanced project-based learning. After viewing the video of how Mr. Dieckmann did this in his own classroom I was just so amazed on how much his students got out of this project based learning. I hope to do something similar to his experience because not only did the children learn so much about the insects that they were trying to capture to do more research on they also got the feel on how to work with a partner or in a group. Now a days technology is everywhere and that will make it a bit easier to access those computers, tablets, or laptops for a project like in his classroom. I would love to incorporate a field trip to the nearest science experiment center where kids can see it in person but if that is not possible do something virtually or bring the scientist expert in the classroom as a spokes person. Having that interaction between the children and the scientist really gets them asking more questions and engaging them in the process. I bet there are so many websites/apps that do virtual field trips that children can attend to and learn so much from. Another idea is having the students present their project to these scientist through a video and have the scientist reply back with a video as well depending on our schedules that might work too.
My implications for my classroom is to engage them in multimedia project based because once again there are so many things children will get out of using technology not only for research but how to do for example a 3-D drawing of an insect or how to put in sound effects just like how Professor Brie showed us in class through SCRATCH! Projects like these are the ones that really get the children involved and they have ownership over their project because they created it and were not told by their teacher what to do. Albert the boy who was so focused on getting a wasp was disappointed that they had to do their project on a bee because he wanted the wasp but even then that was a learning experience and at the end came to the conclusion that even though his group did not get the wasp they got something similar to it which was the bee. They can still research it, draw it, and were able to find out more about their insect. This also gives the teacher that opportunity to let go and have the children run the "class" in a way where they are in charge of researching, cooperating with their group, coming to a conclusion on what and how they want to present their work and I really loved how Mr. Dieckmann did not let them in the multimedia classroom until they had their checklist done of things before heading in their to work on their project. He was there for support and being the middle man like in the case with Albert he told him "I am not going to make you do anything but why don't you sit down for a moment and really think about it". Making up their own standard and rules also gives the students that feel for ownership. Albert would call mom asking to stay longer in school because he needed to finish a project, that alone says a lot of why technology is so important in a classroom environment and how much these kids will want to continue and not stop until they are done with their project.
Jacki, I feel very much the same way. I hope to work with younger kids (K or 1st), so I worried that it might be harder to use technology with them, but Professor Brie's lesson on SCRATCH, as well as last week's blog post, really made me re-think that.
ReplyDeleteA lot of parents I know have been resistant to technology in the classroom - especially at the elementary school level. I'm hoping that one of the positives that might come out of our new familiarity with distance learning is a little more acceptance of kids using technology in the classroom. I really liked in Mr. Dieckmann's classroom that he involved kids in every step of the process, starting with creating a rubric. They had the chance to act like researchers in the field, asking questions, doing hand on research, then collaborating together to report their findings. They got to interact with professionals, and even had to deal with setbacks that might occur in real life in a work setting. Having worked as a professional in Hollywood for the past twenty years, I can attest to all of this being vital experience to prepare kids for real-world settings.
I hope to use technology and other methods in my classroom to nurture critical thinking and collaboration. Instead of kids constantly working independently with me lecturing at them, I hope to pose the same kinds of thought-provoking questions that Mr. Dieckmann and his scientist colleagues posed to his students. For too long, we have programmed the answers into kids, rather than letting them explore and reach for their own answers. Students collaborating together offers even more learning opportunities. One student might excel in understanding the science, for instance. That student might help the others grow in that arena. Another child might be a natural at designing multi-media presentations. That student could also help his or her teammates grow.
The comparison to our new world of technology to the printing press really resonated with me. Education truly is at the threshold of change. If we embrace it and use it in a positive way, technology can engage students in learning in a powerful way - allowing them to think deeper, collaborate more with each other, and connect with learning from outside sources in a way that wasn't possible in the past. It also presents opportunities to engage EL students and students with disabilities in new and exciting ways. I hope I can bring all of that to my classroom. Giving all kids access to these kinds of tools in the classroom is also a way of creating greater equity.
Jacki, I do believe that Project Based learning has proved itself through many research and schools using it to be a very effective form of learning. This new method of learning have proved with a lot of evidence that It can increase children involvement in the learning process and motivate them to learn more. It teaches them to live the life of scientist and perfect the scientific process in their learning as we saw in the video of Mr. Dieckman in the Chula Vista school. The project Based learning in this school used innovative strategies to support the needs of it's multilingual student population through the use of technology-enhanced project based learning. The students in this school took the role in what they are learning (the insect project) and because they were the one to conduct their own research and carry on their own experiments, their learning will never go away. The benefits of this Project Based learning and the use of technology to support this kind of learning are tremendous and countless, children pose questions that can be answered through direct observations. If student found that their answers cannot be answered, they know that it means they need to do more research and gather more information. The technology part of it I feel it's what's making the students more involved in the process as well as the collaboration happening among team members. As you mentioned Jacki and Emilia, the interactive multi media instructions help children learn more and demonstrate what they are learning. I really liked the way that children represented and demonstrating their learning at the end when they were connected with two scientist to review and comment on their project. Even If I don't fully incorporate the technology section in my classroom, I will for sure keep this part of connecting students to experts in the field to enhance their learning , give them feedback and confirm it.
DeleteMaggy, I like your point about this lesson giving the students a chance to "live the life of a scientist". That kind of authentic learning experience will probably really stick with them.
DeleteEm, Yes I 100% agree with you. I always thought that technology shouldn't be allowed at school especially with high tech phones where they have google at their hands but viewing the video for this blog and seeing how you can possibly run a classroom and use technology in such an engaging way really has changed my mind. Not only in this classroom but in other classrooms too like all the new and cool learning apps we can use as educators to really engage these students in the learning process. Also Em, I love that you commented about how the kids created their own rubric and were asked about their opinions from their teacher and really felt like they were involved in this project which really gets the kids engaged and loving the learning that comes with it. Education is changing and I hope so too that parents are more open about using technology in the classroom!
DeleteMaggy, yes it does get the students really engaged and focused! I love that you mention that they will "live the life of a scientist and know how to perfect it" because that is what real scientist do ask more and more questions and wonder about so many different aspects of the world. That right there is something kids who have and hopefully are experiencing in real time will never forget.
DeleteI love the idea of virtual field trips and cant wait to implement them in my classroom. I had the same initial worries as Em about utilizing technology in my classroom with younger students, but after seeing several examples in this course I've realized that there is age appropriate technology for all students. I agree that project based learning is an effective method as well as pairing students into groups to enrich the learning process. This can especially benefit students who are English learners in that working in groups with children who are proficient in English will have a tutor like effect. Technology in the classroom will also engage students who are learning English and make them feel included.
ReplyDeleteBethany, I also thought this would be beneficial for English Learners. When the classroom is teacher-led these students may not feel confident in asking questions or participating. When they are placed into groups I feel like they are more likely to engage with the material and the interaction with their peers may help them in their learning process. I also think they can thrive in group work because they may find an area they excel at.
DeleteI recall a classroom of EL students I visited that used technology to read passages and work on their comprehension. The majority of the high school student started at a second grade reading level and after using the program for several months they had made so much progress. Several were very close to reading at their grade level. Technology is a beneficial tool when used purposefully.
Cindy, that is so good to hear. I really hope that technology can help us build greater equity in the classroom.
DeleteBethany, I agree that getting kids to work in groups really helps them improve their cooperative skills and learn from one another. Just like in the video if a group member does not agree they need to work it out and obviously us as their teacher be their middle ground if and when needed. Yes, I love that you mention ELLs because that is such a benefit to have and help them succeed too.
DeleteCindy, I love hearing that those students excelled by using technology how awesome is that! Yes, having those shy kids even in groups really come out and sometimes take charge! Cooperative learning is something I think educators should and must incorporate in their classrooms.
DeleteJacki, I had similar thoughts to the role of the teacher. Project-based learning gears toward student- led rather than teacher-led. Students are encouraged to problem solve and think critically. The video mentions that multimedia sharpens decision-making. This skill is practiced in their group work and will benefit them as they tackle more Project Based Learning assignments.The students were accountable for their part in the project and cooperated with their group. When they students were given more autonomy they seemed to enjoy more of the learning process. They were enthusiastic and took every aspect of their research seriously. It was also interesting to see them interact with professionals. They presented their research and refined their public speaking skills. You could see the pride the students felt in all they had achieved.
ReplyDeleteBy incorporating technology in their projects they were developing skills such as researching, synthesizing, and evaluating sources. The students were able to create their own presentation and models with their groups. When they presented their findings to the scientist, they saw a more in depth look into their insect project due to the technology incorporated in the classroom. Technology in the classroom assists in the learning process and makes it more interesting which keeps the students engaged. I would like to learn more about how technology is used in K-1st grade classrooms. It may be more difficult but it may just be a matter of practicing with the students and finding topics from the curriculum that can be made more engaging through the use of technology.
Cindy, yes I love that the project-based learning goes toward a more student led one. Like my science class Professor says "we have to let go and let the kids do the research, question, and wonder their world around them". That really has stuck to me because we tend to sometimes do all the leading but forget that student's should be able to incorporate their thought and opinions on many things since they are the ones doing the learning. The kids attitudes just change so much and even one of the students wanted to stay longer at school, you do not get that very often!
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