Curriculum should be considered in finding “the Big Idea”
for a project in the classroom. We ultimately want to set up our projects
thinking about our students. We want our students to know that their projects
can offer value for their community. When they know their projects can over
value, they become more invested in their learning. These projects can offer
numerous learning opportunities for students.
Projects will help students develop 21st
century skills. A well-designed project helps students stretch their
intellectual muscles in ways traditional learning activities can’t. A way to
ensure a project is to plan for learning actions associated with Bloom’s
Taxonomy of Educational Objectives. These objectives will include analyzing,
evaluating, and creating; they are related to project based learning.
There are four 21st Century literacies: the Digital-Age
Literacy, Inventive Thinking, Effective Communication and High Productive. 21st
century projects will have students use printed and written materials to explore
the concepts of literacy through real life interactions and projects.
There are eight essential learning functions: 1) Ubiquity:
Learning Inside and Outside the Classroom, and All the Time- Web-based applications
can allow students to learn inside and outside the classroom. 2) Deep Learning-
allows students sort information 3) Making Things Visible and Discussable-
showing rather than telling 4) Expressing Ourselves, Sharing Ideas, Building
Community- opportunities for expression 5) Collaboration- Teaching and Learning
with Others- tools that help us learn together 6) Research- Internet research
puts information literacy to the test 7) Project Management: Planning and
Organization- helps students manage time, work, sources, feedback from others,
drafts, and products during projects.
and 8) Reflection and Iteration-deep learning happens when you examine
your ideas from all sides and from other points of view.
Great reflection! I liked that when you were talking about 21st century literacies, you actually named what they were and then discussed how they can help students through real life interactions and growth. I also think you made great points when you were discussing "the big idea", especially when you included how they can help their communities.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
Delete@ Parker, I think that it's just as important when considering the big idea to also consider real world situations. I believe that the curriculum will fall into place once you have a creative idea. Nice Reflection!
ReplyDeleteI like how you talk about students projects being of value to the community. I strongly believe that if we tell kids that they could make a difference in the community we live in they get very excited and more into the project! Also when you talked about the 21st century skills being an important role, I like how you said it is stretching her students intellectual muscles. By looking at projects a different way it helps students to be creative and flexible with their learning!
ReplyDelete