IAE-Pedia - Topic of Interest turned into Reflection

I was interested in writing up on Project-Based Learning, but soon found myself looking back at the semester teaching EDT300 implementing Project-Based Learning - not a true contribution to the Pedia, but rather a refection on my own experience - so on this blog it goes...

I have become more interested on Project-Based Learning while teaching a class “Teaching with Technology” aiming to prepare pre-service teachers in integrating technology in the classroom. I was familiar with the methodology but did not have experience truly implementing it outside of the ESL language classroom.

Two reasons brought me to seek more information on this methodology – First, I needed to make sure I was not teaching technology simply for the sake of it, but could show students the benefits and urgency of using technology in the classroom. Second, a meaningful context was needed for my students/future teachers to learn technology while relating it to true situations in which they would see the benefit of learning and implementing technology. The solution for our class was quite simple actually, and was to become a semester-long project. The project was to create a Unit Plan (Project-based of course) with activities that would be well supported by the use of technology. The activities were either tasks a teacher is led to perform as teacher, and assignments to be completed by students, and for which technology provides a good support.

The semester-long project engaged students over time in bringing together all of the components into one finished product – they chose what they were going to teach, and the assignments they would assign their students. Bringing these components together into a coherent logical Unit required many skills; students had to resolve several problems, collaborate on some tasks, and ultimately manage to design activities/assignments that would answer unit questions and correlate with the Standards and objectives targeted by the Unit Plan – not a simple exercise for those students who were new to teaching methodology. The exercise was compounded by the technology skills to be acquired and integrated into the Unit Plan. By the end, all of the parts fit together to create a coherent project – a Unit Plan containing well-thought out objectives, procedures and student activities for which the use of technology was beneficial. For the instructor, the semester culminates with many tangibles that can used to evaluate students.

Looking back at this semester, I feel Project-Based Learning drives instructors to provide educational experiences that engage students and foster the acquisition of desired skills. Instructors following PBL design learning experiences that are student-centered and thus engage students in the learning process. To complete projects, students use many different skills from retaining, analyzing information to applying newly learned concept to real-world situations. The authenticity of the tasks allow students to see a link between learning and relevance to their own life. Rubrics provide students clear expectations and allow them to evaluate their own learning. Presenting findings of their projects, regardless of the method used to present, gives students the opportunity to showcase their work and to become aware of their own achievements. All of these elements prepare students with the skills needed to be a productive member of society and to develop the behavior needed to truly become life-long learners.

Catching up - at least trying to

I am falling totally behind with my blog entries (I am currently taking 3 graduate classes, and teaching one undergraduate class). I have to post weekly blog entries for 3 blogs, one for each graduate class, and read my students' blogs (which, by the way, I enjoy tremendously).

So... it is not for lack of things to say about all the neat technology tools I am learning in all of these classes - I have plenty to say - but somehow - just getting each assignment completed for all rarely allows me the luxury to come and post on my blogs.

Somehow, I am still hopefull that I will be able to post on most of the required items before the end of the semester - I just won't have the neat chronological order that would come with regular timely posts.