Chapter 2 – Reflection

The focus of Learning Communities is collaboration. It is vital that school personnel work together to implement PBL. When considering the term Learning Community, the effectiveness of the community is what facilitates the learning aspect of the concept. A Learning Community can begin by one teacher taking the initiative to use PBL in her/his classroom and then engaging their fellow colleagues. Or perhaps the school is innovative enough to have collaboration and PBL teamwork built into the agenda.

One of the benefits of a Learning Community to teachers is that it provides a built-in professional development offering. Teachers are often called to attend professional development seminars and courses, however, by instructing in a positive PBL environment the teacher is constantly learning, sharing, and developing their practice to better serve their students.

Learning Communities strengthen the professional bond between teachers. It allows for growth both professionally and personally. Learning Communities involve all  teachers and staff, therefore eliminating the feeling of isolation of teachers, and offering a support network for new teachers. Learning Communities often experience a change in focus, philosophy, and strive for critical thinking from staff and students.

Students benefit greatly from being in a Learning Community. They are responsible, active members in their own education and feel the importance of being a valued member of their school.  Since the main goal of this type of environment is student learning, the education received by the students is superior and will open their eyes to the value of collaboration; a tool they will always use in the future.

Taking the initial steps to implement a Learning Community is not that difficult; especially considering the vast rewards that will follow. The book offers key components for a new “organization” to help guide the team through the process. The first component is to have a clear sense of mission. All organizations write a mission statement, and this exercise allows the group to discuss and define their agenda. A few of those goals are: focus on student learning, collaboration, hold shared values and beliefs, and to see themselves as life-long learners. The process of writing mission statements help unite teams; reminding everyone of why we are here and what it is it that we are working to accomplish.

Our group project would certainly be a Learning Community for both students and teachers. Our project includes bringing in experts from the community, such as Naturalists, Artists, and local businesses. Our students will work together to think globally about where birds live, and how they vary by climate. Also, by using technology to chart migrations and life spans, our students will think beyond the here-and-now; looking into both the past and future of birds. We will utilize our fellow 3^rd grade classes and collaborate with them on items such as raffles, guest lists, and presentations. All information gathered and collected by our class will be shared in multiple formats, providing something for everyone and every learning style.

Reflection #2

     Professional learning communities focus on three things: ensure that students learn, create culture of collaboration for school improvement, and focus on results. Benefits of learning communities include: decreased teacher isolation, increased commitment to the mission, shared responsibility, more powerful learning, and a higher likelihood of fundamental, systemic change. 
     Learning communities affect students and teachers. Both students and teachers develop skills and dispositions in the "real world." Some of these skills include: communication, problem solving, project management, motivation, and persistence. 
     A learning organization is also known as a professional learning community in education. In a shared vision individuals learn new patterns of thinking, learn how to capitalize on the wisdom of the group, and they continually learn how to learn together. 
     Concepts that relate to my topic are online tools to support my professional learning community. By participating on online communities it will help me connect to a bigger network of colleagues who share my professional interests. As teachers we create our own opportunities for shared learning. 

Birding Concept Map

Chapter 1 - Reflection

The PBL approach is very different than the way many grew up learning. The shift from teacher-led to student/technology driven is not one that most are familiar with. However, by assessing ones current knowledge and keeping an open-mind, one can reap huge benefits from learning how to implement PBL in their future classrooms. Newcomers need to remember that technology takes the lead role in learning PBL. Technology should no longer be looked at as a tool, but as an integral component of a PBL classroom.

The benefits to PBL are enormous to both the teacher, and the students. Teachers are setting the stage for students in use real-world, real-time technology to conquer problems. The overall benefit is a high-functioning, technology-driven, exciting learning platform for students; no limitations, just connections resulting in true learning.

The connections the students will gain through PBL will last forever. The students will be better prepared for life after school by becoming experts at research, collaboration, and problem solving. Today, professionals in all fields require the ability to think “outside of the box” and the demand for keeping up with technology continues to increase. The students in a PBL classroom will be happy, have a great time, and a sense of accomplishment that cannot be acquired through traditional teacher-led instruction.

When considering the switch to PBL, teachers need to assess their current understanding of technology and PBL basic concepts. The self-assessment needs to include reflecting on teaching style, and classroom management skills. The physical space needs to be arranged in a manner that facilitates collaboration; the traditional set-up of pairs of desks, and a few computers lining the wall, will just no longer work! Lastly, and most importantly, teacher must collaborate with their colleagues and the parents of their students.

New Technology High sounds amazing! It almost sounds too good to be true.  The idea of “project briefcases” replacing traditional homework, and textbooks being “scarce” shows that New Tech is leading in the PBL world. We need to believe that a setting like that is possible; even if it is on a smaller scale! Finances and Administration help make New Tech the success that it is, however, those elements are not mandatory for a PBL setting. PBL is more of a shift in thought and preparation, as opposed to being program requiring costly components.

Response

Project Based Learning is a strategy of teaching based  with  learning  that engages student interest and motivation. project based learning strategies are constructed  to answer or solve a problem and look in certain areas of types of learning and work that is achieved beyond the boundaries of the classroom.
A well designed project allows students to come across and struggle with the main concepts and principles of a discipline. Project Based Learning teaches students modern day skills along with content. These skills include communication and presentation skills, research and inquiry skills, and group participation.
it is generally done by groups of students working together toward a common goal. Performance is observed and tested on each individual, and takes into account the quality of the class work produced, content understanding, and the ongoing process of project realization. In my definition I define Project Based Learning as a  teaching method that engages students in learning important life skills, through an extended, student  inquiry process based around detailed, authentic questions and carefully designed products and tasks.

Reflection #1

     As you start on your journey through Project-Based Learning you should know that PBL is a strategy that is powered by contemporary technologies. This means that there are new kinds of learning communities with the internet open to new research opportunities. Digital tools are essential features of the environment that today's students are living and learning. This journey is a learning process for both the students and the teacher.
     Some overall benefits to the PBL approach are that teachers are using technology to open opportunities to reinvent projects so that they become more authentically connected to students lives. We can use these digital tools for inquiry, collaboration, and communication to connect learners to one another or even to beyond the classroom. Teachers also use these new strategies to meet instructional goals and are reflective about wanting to improve their own practices so that all learners will succeed. 
     Some benefits to the students who participate in PBL are: students develop good communication skills to break through cultural misunderstanding and find consensus, students develop good inquiry skills, which foster a sense of wonderment at the differences in the world, students learn to be flexible with their hours because they know other people are relying on them to meet their deadlines, students develop a fuller understanding of how the world works and that it does not just revolve around them, and finally that students achieve the feeling that through communication with and understanding of other people, individuals can do something about changing the world.
     Other things to be considered to this approach is that today's students are up to the challenge, projects are worth the effort, students live and learn in the real world, and that new contexts encourage the projects approach.
     At New Tech High, the project approach is the "cornerstone" of instruction which has spread to a growing network of schools across the "U.S. This is an example of New Tech Model because technology is everywhere but it is not the main focus. Technology is used as a tool rather than the focus of learning. Overall, good ideas are shared and the projects have students in real-world learning that are the centerpieces of instruction.