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.