Reading Reflection #2

1. Discussion on the focus of Learning Communities.

The main focus of Learning Communities seems to be revolved around change.  It is nessecary in the quickening pace of society, to make changes that will keep up with current and future need of the students and the educators alike.  It is also making the world "smaller" in my opinion, because through digital means, it is possible to communicate with educators world wide.

 

2. Discussion on the benefits of Learning Communities.

Learning communities operate like other work environments outside of the educational system, like the chapters opening example of a former engineer.  Collaborating with coworkers and peers is a great  way to advance teaching skills and develop good ideas and plans for following through with innovative educational techniques.

3. Discussion on how Learning Communities affect teachers.

The main idea that stood out to me as a benefit to teachers, it the decrease in the isolation of teachers.  Many organizations and work places come together as a team, and this makes their work better, so why shouldn't teachers be doing the same thing?  The idea of shared responsibility is also a strong point, because working together is great in creating accountability for providing great education.

4. Discussion on how Learning Communities affect students.

When children work together as a group, they learn to learn as a group.  It is more like the atmosphere they will find outside of education, and within their future career fields.  They learn important skills that will be valuable to them when they go onto college, with the more rigorous learning environment, and further down the road, when they have problems and ideas to figure out, they will know how to share there ideas with others and give and receive constructive criticism.

5. Discussion on the components for shared vision in Learning Communities.

There are many types of Learning Communities, but for the communities that are specifically in the same centralized location and physically meet and work together in the same environment, it seems quite necessary that they share a vision of the conditions needed.  The way I interpret this is that, not only do they agree upon the same goal, but they can come to agreement on how to get to that goal.  In some cases they may need to petition for more funding, or for updated equipment to be implemented within the school systems.  It may also involve convincing the school district of changes needed within the style of curriculum or class structure.  Not all new and improve innovations will be readily accepted with open arms, and the important part will be for the teachers working together for the "big picture" to actually be all on the same page. 

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

The concept of teamwork and digital communication will be key in our project.  We will need to stay in contact and bounce ideas off each other in order to have a well organized finished product.  It would also be helpful to look for more information and find great resources and knowledgeable individuals online.

Reflection #2

1. Discussion on the focus of learning communities:

Learning communities allow teachers to work collaboratively with one another day to day to improve their teaching. Teachers learn from one another and do so by trying new ideas and sharing those ideas and results with the other faculty. Learning communities allow for better education and higher improvement. Three big things that learning communities focus on include: ensure that students learn, create a culture of collaboration for school improvement, and focus on results. Learning communities set up classrooms for success and an engaging learning environment.

2. Discussion on the benefits of learning communities:

The benefits of learning communities include: decreased teacher isolation, increased commitment to the mission, shared responsibility, more powerful learning, and a higher likelihood of fundamental, systematic change.

3. Discussion on how learning communities affect teachers:

Learning communities affect teachers in several ways. Learning communities help develop skills necessary in the "real world,"which include problem solving, communication, project management, motivation, and persistence. It also helps teachers build bonds and learn to learn together.

4. Discussion on how learning communities affect students:

Learning communities also affect students in a similar way as it does for teachers. Students learn to work together, develop problem solving and communication skills, and have more powerful learning. They also are affected by having shared responsibilities with their classmates.

5. Discussion on the components for shared vision in learning communities:

There are many components for shared vision in learning communities. Some involve: having a clear sense of the mission, focus on student learning, collaborate with each other, hold shared values and beliefs, and see themselves as life-long learnings. These are all very important when having a shared vision in learning communities.

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

One of the biggest ways concepts in this chapter relate to our project is the fact that we are all working together. We all need to collaborate and bounce back ideas in order to work as a team and become successful on our topic.

Reflection #2

1.) Discussion on the focus of Learning Communities

The point of Learning Communities is so that students and teachers can focus on each others work and improve it at the same time. They focus on the students learning abilities, outcome of results, as well as school improvements.

2.) Discussion on the benefits of Learning Communities.

Learning communities have helped teachers become more able to work together towards one goal; improving the education of students. In the chapter Mueller says, "We share a passion for learning-we have that 'gotta know' attitude. We want to know what's out there, and what we can bring in to our classrooms to help our kids learn." With the teachers working together, learning will be improving.

3.) Discussion on how Learning Communities affect teachers.

Learning communities affect teachers in a good way. There is decreased teacher isolation, increased commitment to the mission, shared responsibility, more powerful learning, and a higher likelihood of fundamental and systematic change. Basically, all the teachers come together to work towards their one common goal.

4.) Discussion on how Learning Communities affect students.

Learning Communities affect students by improving their learning environment. Students learn new ways to think about things and it is a full force learning environment.

5.) Discussion on the components for shared vision in Learning Communities,

Components for shared vision in learning communities are the things that teachers can do together in order to make learning communities work. They can do this by working together, collaborate with one another, commit themselves to continuous improvement, goal oriented and focus on student learning.

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

This chapter relates to our project because it talks about how we need to work together. We will look back at learning communities to help improve our project.

Reading Reflection #1

Discussion on what you need to keep in mind as you start the journey through Project-Based Learning (PBL).

Project-Based learning is a way to learn that is not focused enough on in the education system. Having multiple minds working together is much more powerful than one. You are held accountable for your share and without all the pieces you are not a successful team. When working in groups you have to explain your thinking and it has to be evaluated by multiple thinkers. The more input you have on an idea the better the idea will be. Project-Based Learning needs to be adopted more seriously to our education system to improve our thinkers. We need to leave our old ways and make way for a new approach to learning.

Discussion on the overall benefits of the PBL approach.

           

The overall benefits of the Project based learning are that you are going to get better results. The challenge can be more vigorous if you have more than one person trying to solve it. PBL also requires more imagination. The problems are real world problems that require you to think out of the box. Students have to investigate, research, and construct their own solutions.

Discussion on the benefits to students who participate in PBL.

           

There are endless benefits to students who use PBL often. You are going to become a more imaginative thinker. Solutions are found everyday because someone decided to think openly. There is always a way something works it shows that anything is a possible. PBL also gives you real world problems that you have to use your own experiences to help find solutions. Students who use PBL are going to be better critical thinkers and lifelong learners.

Discussion on what issues need to be considered in PBL approach.

PBL is the new movement of learning. It does not necessarily follow the standards that the state requires. You need to incorporate the approach along with following the standards. Even though I don’t agree with having standards. It is different from the tradition classroom approach and you need to convince the students to jump on board before you can take off. Show the results and give them interesting relevant real world problems to get them to trust the approach. 

Discussion on New Technology High as an example of New Technology Model.

New technology gives you the tools to solve problems of the 21^st century. You still follow the PBL approach and the technology improvements help you to keep going farther. Find solutions that use to be unknown without a higher level of technology.

Reading Reflection #1

1. Discussion on what you need to keep in mind as you start the journey through Project-Based Learning (PBL). 

    It will be important to keep in mind that while most of this will be new and challenging material, it is also relevant.  As an elementary teacher in the 21st century, I will be necessary to master current technology and teamwork skills in order to keep up with current demands.

 

2.Discussion on the overall benefits of the PBL approach.

    Project based learning seems to be a great to to get kids plugged into the learning process.  It also gets them into working in groups and having accountability.  This is needed within today's workforce.

3.Discussion on the benefits to students who participate in PBL.

    From the the reading material, it seems that children who are taught using PBL, are better lifelong learners.  They are taught the skills to be critical thinkers and to think outside the box.  So even if they don't remember what the exact projects were about, they at least have the know how to look it up again if they ever need to recall it later on.  The technology and teamwork skills taught here are also good for them as future employees and coworkers.

4.Discussion on what issues need to be considered in PBL approach.

    First off, depending on the school one ends up working in, they might not be inclined as much towards the PBL concept or may not have the resources needed.  Also, as a special education teacher, needs will be different.  Technology is often incorporated into the classroom as great learning tools and for assistance, but many of these concepts will also help many students to become more independent and overcome obstacles. 

5. Discussion on New Technology High as an example of New Technology Model.

    New Technology High was fascinating.  It would be great if more schools like this were to exist.  It would be great for students to learn in such a way, in order to help them in their future carriers.  The United States has lagged behind other countries with it's education and the way it prepares students for the job force.  This would be a great way to catch up.  The only down side is that these schools seem to be privately funded, and many schools these days are struggling to get the minimum that they need financially.

Reflection #1

1. What do you need to keep in mind as you start the journey through Project Based Learning?

When starting your journey through project based learning, you must keep in mind that today's students are up to the challenge, projects are worth the effort, students live and learn in the real world, and new contexts encourage the project approach. All of these factors help set the stage for the project based learning approach.

2. Discuss the overall benefits of Project Based Learning:

Project based learning has many benefits.  Project based learning forms the centerpiece of the curriculum, engages students in real world activities, allows students to practice the strategies of authentic disciplines, has students working collaboratively to solve problems that matter to them, and also allows technology to take learners places they couldn't otherwise go which allows teachers to achieve learning goals in a new way.

3. Discuss the benefits to students who participate in Project Based Learning:

First of all, PBL prepares students to thrive in a world that's certain to continue changing. In project based learning, students investigate open-ended questions and apply their knowledge to create authentic products. PBL sets the stage for active learning and teamwork among students. Project based learning also allows students to discover, collaborate, and communicate effectively.


4. Discuss what issues need to be considered when applying Project Based Learning:

Some of the things you need to consider before applying PBL consist of the following; be ready to rethink your expectations for what your students will know and do, be ready to step off the stage and interact with your students differently, be ready to help students become better at managing projects on their own, be ready to reconfigure your classroom in order to facilitate teamwork and collaboration, be ready to reevaluate what you need to pay attention to throughout the learning process, be ready to reconsider which artifacts of learning are worth keeping, and finally, be ready to explain your reasoning for taking the project approach.

5. Discuss New Technology High as an example of the New Technology Model:

New Technology High challenged the school district to find a better way of preparing students for the future by having them learn to think critically, collaborate as part of a team, and use technology as a tool for solving problems. New Technology High is a place where project based learning drives the entire curriculum therefore becoming an strong example of the New Technology Model. Real world learning takes place at New Technology High where textbook-based instruction is not their motto.

Reflection 1

1. Discussion on what you need to keep in mind as you start the journey through Project-Based Learning (PBL).


The things that we are to keep in mind as we being our journey through Project-Based Learning is that; today's students are up to the challenge. projects are worth the effort, students live and learn in the real world and new contexts encourage the project approach.


2. Discussion on the overall benefits of the PBL approach.


In the book it talks about how in Project-Based Learning students investigate open-ended questions apply their knowledge to produce authentic products. Projects typically allow for student choice, setting the stage for active learning and teamwork. Not only do the students benefit from this type of learning, but the teachers do as well.


3. Discussion on the benefits to students who participate in PBL.


Project-Based Learning can benefit students by having them use the technology that has taken over our world day by day. Students engage in real-world activities and practice the strategies of authentic disciplines. Students work collaboratively to solve problems that matter to them. When students learn by engaging real-world projects, nearly every aspect of their experience changes.


4. Discussion on what issues need to be considered in PBL approach.


An issue that may appear with this PBL approach may happen the first time around that it is tested with the students. The students are going from the traditional classroom teaching and jumping on board with PBL. There is a very different learning and thinking process and some things may go wrong that would call for research and some extra looking into things. Another issue to consider is the fact that every child learns differently. Will every students benefit from the PBL approach?


5. Discussion on New Technology High as an example of New Technology Model.


New Technology High is a ground designed from the ground up to meet the needs of 21st century learners. Here, PBL is the centerpiece of instructional design. This school is definitely a step into the future, but is it the right step for the students? Technology is a big part of our world now, and it will only improve from here.