Reading reflection #3

1. Discussion on what should be considered in finding "the Big idea" for a project:

Identifying the “big idea” is how you determine the entire layout of the project. You need to find ways to incorporate pieces of the project to fit the big idea. This involves covering a range of concepts about the topic. Students can relate the ideas to real life situations. This will help them become better deeper thinkers.

2. Discussion on the 21st century skills:

We need to leave the school systems way of how they evaluate. We need to become problem solvers. We should not be simply evaluated on how smart we are based on a test that just depends how long we memorized for. We need skills. Our traditional ways of learning are proven not very effective so it is time to move on.

3. Discussion on the 21st century literacies:

Reading and writing are no going to cut it for 21^st century literacy. We need to learn how to be higher-level thinkers. We need to be more imaginative, inventive, and more productive. The real world is about solving unknown solutions to problems. Reading and writing are essential but not the only important factors of literacy.

4. Discussion on each of the essential learning functions:

•                Ubiquity: Learning all the time. Examples: gps,mp3, mobile phones. With these tools students can learn at all times if wanting to. They can be just as much a distraction as well however.

•                Deep Learning: This helps you understand information that is not explained well. Research and critical thinking need to be used to understand the information. The information has a deeper meaning but you need to figure out in what way.

•                Making things visible and discussable: This all about visual learning rather than just verbal. Every learner learns differently. A picture says 1,000 words saying supports this function. You can interpret information easier for certain things.

•                Expressing ourselves, sharing ideas, and building community: Expressing yourself helps create better connections between people and creates better discussion. Social Media is the newest way people express themselves.

•                Collaboration-teaching and learning with others: Having group projects helps students to work as a team. They need to collaborate effectively to be successful.  

•                Research: Research is the best way to learn in my eyes. You have all the information you could ever ask for on the Internet. You can learn a skill very quickly just by watching a few YouTube’s or pay a bunch of money to get it taught to you in a personal setting.

•                Project Management: Planning and Organization:

In order to be effective and successful you need to learn how to manage your time. You can’t skip management otherwise nothing will be ever completed.

•                Reflection and Iteration:

After you have completed the task you need to look at it from a different perspective. You can look at your own work and critique it. It allows students to reflect on their work and see their successes and failures.

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

This chapter relates to our project because it is based around the big idea of our project. We are working together with others to find a solution. In order to find that solution we have to collaborate and research together. We need to bounce ideas off each other and reflect on them to find the solution.