Reading Reflection #1

         When starting project-based learning in your classroom you need to keep in mind that today's students are up to the challenge, the projects you do in the classroom are worth the effort, students live and learn in the real world, and new contexts encourage the project approach. Kids don't want to sit in a classroom and be told what to do, they learn more when they get to participate in hands on lessons. Students live in the real world so you should bring the real world into the classroom.  Remember that the effort you put into project-based learning will be worth it in the end. The students will hopefully get more out of the lesson!
          The overall benefits of project-based learning are that you can turn the classroom into a fun learning center. You, as the teacher, no longer tell students information but let them ask questions and create meaning themselves. In the future students will have to work as a team or in a group so why not start practicing now in the classroom. This gives kids a chance to apply knowledge and they can choose authentic projects.
          The benefits to students who participate in project-based learning are that projects form the centerpiece of the curriculum, students engage in real-world activities and practice strategies, students work collaboratively to solve problems that matter to them, teachers collaborate to design and implement projects that cross geographic boundaries and technology is integrated as a tool. When reading this I was reminded of the video we watched in lecture last Monday when the students studied horned toads with farmers. The project was the centerpiece of the curriculum, the students got to go out into a field and look for the toads after talking with farmers about where they've seen them. The students worked by themselves with some things but mostly worked together in groups.
          Issues that need to be addressed when considering project-based learning include: your learning goals, the way you talk and engage students, your classroom management style, physical arrangement of classroom, how you think about assessment, how you will communicate with parents and what you will collect. Teachers need to be ready to rethink their expectations. As you start a project things could come up or something will need to be changed, you need to be flexible. When talking to students you should let them lead discussion and not go off of what you are saying. Teachers should help students learn about managing their time when working on projects. When setting up your classroom, make sure it is set up for team work and collaboration. You need to think about how you will assess projects and what you'll collect from students.