COBB CH1 R.R

This chapter is an introduction to Project based learning. It is accomlplished when students learn by engaging in real world projects. PBL (Project Based Learning), equips students for their transition from student to contributing citizens. when they have had the opportunity to experience the world before they actually go out into it they have a more successful entry. "The buisness world demands employees who know how to work as a team, access and analyze information, and think creatively to solve problems."(pg.11) There are five hallmarks of PBL in the classroom:

1. Projects are the centerpiece, not an add on

2. Students engage in real-world activities and actually practice the strategies

3. Students work collaboratively to solve problem that matter to thyem. They choose what they want to do. This gives the student a sence of ownership when working on a project, making them more likely to be successful in it.

4. Technology is always used for discovery, collaboration, and communication. Using technology opens the doors of the world to the students which were otherwised closed.

5. Teachers are interacting and collaborating more to design and emplement projects. These collaborations cross city state and country borders!

I am fortunate to go through school at a time when PBL is being enphasized. I will be more prepared to incorporate this into my class because it will be a part of my foundation. However, thopse teachers who have not been exposed to this approach may find it difficult to even imagine this type of learning. One of the beautiful things about being human is that we are lifelong learners. It may be challenging but we can seek help and conduct research to gain the understanding needed to perform the duty.

PBL has to be collaborative or it will be difficult to accomplish. It also works better with smaller classrooms. A great example of this is New Technology High founded in Napa, CA. in 1996. The hallmarks of this highschool included:

1. Small number of students per teacher, which gave teachers more time to focus on getting to know the students and less time on classroom management.

2. Real-world projects are the centerpiece of instruction.

3. TECHNOLOGY IS EVERYWHERE! Even when the technology is not being used

4. Teachers have time to collaborate with other teachers.

5. Online assessment tools help students to focus on areas of weakness when needed.

6. Online project library for teachers to share and search for ideas.

Considering this example, it helps me to reflect on how I will mange my classroom. I consider first what goals do I have for myself as well as my students, how i will address and engage each of my students, how I will manage and arrange my classroom to provide the best learning environment for my students and make the classroom parent friendly so that they will feel welcomed, as an incentive to have them participate more.

When I think of all of the work that will go into creating a PBL environmment in my classroom I boldly say that it is worth all of the effort. The children will have gained an wexperience that will last beyond the assessments. They will have developed thier background knowledge even more and therefore be  able to incorporate and retain new knowlege more successfully. there is also "extra learning" that takes place when students do projects. The book mentions a woman by the name of Julie Lindsey. She explains that students develop communication and inquiry skills and they develop an understanding of how the world works, which in turn gives them assurance that they can change the world.