Discuss the potential pitfalls in project design.
Potential pitfalls include, Long on activity, short on learning outcomes. Technology layer traditional practice. Trivial thematic units. Overly scripted with many, many steps. If you find a project that looks promising but comes up short, keep looking.
Discuss the features of a good project.
Features of a good project include a tried and true project with potential for more meaningful, expressive learning. Project plans developed by and for other teachers. News stories. Contemporary issues. Student questions and interests. A classroom irritant put to educational use. A mash up of a great idea and a new tool.
Discuss where project ideas come from.
Any experience that you have can turn into a project idea. A project idea can come at anytime or anywhere. Keep in mind that one successful project will often lead you to another.
Discuss the steps to design a project.
The first step is to revisit the framework. The second step is to establish evidence of understanding. The third step is to plan the project theme or challenge. The fourth step is to plan entrée into the project experience. At this point the project is coming into view, but it is still may be a bit blurry around the edges and lack of detail. Now it would be time to write a project sketch. After the project sketch is written, share it with your fellow colleagues.
Discussion on how concepts in this chapter relate to your topic/project.
These concepts of this chapter will help us make our projects easier. We now know the features of a good project and the steps to make a good project.
I agree that most of what we are learning from this book, we are going to use it in our projects and throughout our career. Project ideas can come from just about anywhere and I agree that its important to keep in mind that one successful project can lead to another. So don't worry so much about coming up with all these new projects, the topics will practically display themselves.
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