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STEM MIC2011 Reflection 001

 Please do NOT edit this page.  Instead, answer your question below as a "Comment."  
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Reflect on Module 1:

 

Answer ONE of the following questions as a "Comment" at the bottom of the page  

 

  • What makes Project Based Learning appropriate and different in comparison to traditional instruction?
  • What considerations are important when incorporating a Project Based Learning approach into the classroom? 
  • What issues and benefits must a teacher consider that are specific to PBL instructional strategies?
  • How can all types of students will be successful in PBL environments?

Questions about modules or your project? Contact (in this order): 1) one of your coaches, 2) another cohort on the Ning, or 3) Sue Hardin or John McCarthy

Comments (2)

Sara said

at 11:13 am on Dec 15, 2011

What considerations are important when incorporating a Project Based Learning approach into the classroom?
One consideration is the development of a driving question. This is what concerns me as I search for a way to begin this journey. How can I choose a driving question that will engage my students and motivate them to search for understanding. As an ELA teacher, I am currently facing the complete overhaul of my instruction to address the Common Core. This means incorporating a great deal of Social Studies content into my classroom. I am hoping to combine both of these factors into my classroom through the same PBL units. We are soon approaching Westward Expansion in Social Studies, and I see some possibilities here, but choosing a driving question eludes me as my own SS knowledge is limited.

A second consideration is address the needs of both my struggling students and my high achievers concurrently. PBL seems to be a natural environment for differentiation. How to manage that is unknown to me at this time. Addressing this through planning will be necessary.

A third consideration is how to make the most use of the technology I have in my classroom. I have recently acquired 10 computers and a data projector. My students are already on the computers every day, so this will be a lesser consideration than the previous two. However, it is necessary to maintain a focus on this as well.

hodges@... said

at 10:51 am on Jan 2, 2012

What makes Project Based Learning appropriate and different in comparison to traditional instruction?

I think that PBL is appropriate for my classroom because it is a way that you can cover content AND allow students to practice a number of other important skills. They will have to use problem solving, communication and time management skills just to name a few. Problem based learning is usually cross-curricular, which allows for practicing and learning about topics in an interconnected way, like the real world. Also, problem based learning is often very motivating for students, especially when there is a authentic product that will have an audience.

Problem based learning is different from traditional instruction because it is more student-centered. Instead of being fed information from the teacher, students are exploring and developing knowledge on their own. It is also different in that it is likely harder to manage and more time consuming than teaching the same concepts using direct instruction. To me this means that you need to make sure that your problem based units are based on some of the most important concepts you teach.

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