Bruner Ch 6 RR

Project Launch-Implementation Strategies 

During projects, students are going to be involved in many different levels and areas of cognitive developments. By giving them a self-evaluation before the project, students are able to see and become prepared for what is expected of them during the project; it shows them what they are going to learn. By giving one after the project is over, it allows them to reflect on what they did learn and allows you to make adjustments for the next time for any pitfalls. This also encourages them to be confident on the next project that is introduced to them. Technology also gives students a chance to give feedback and self-evaluation. For example, blogs allow them to reflect on what they are learning, ProfilerPRO is a survey site that can be used to identify strengths, weaknesses, and interests, and tools like SurveyMonkey and Zoomerang let you set up online surveys to see where the students are in the progress of their project.

A good project first taps into students' prior knowledge, taking what they already know and building on it. The project has to be transferred to the students and they have to be interested in it for it to be successful. For a week before a project, have students looking for things that will be brought up during the project and talking to people they know about it. Then, take a few minutes out of each day to talk about in class and find out what students are understanding or discovering.

It is important to teach the fundamentals first in a project. Students all have to have a common baseline of knowledge about the topic of the project before they can get started. This also helps in setting the stage for independent work and group work, without you being the center of attention. Have students do a KWL (know, wonder, learn) chart. What do they know about the topic? What do they wonder about the project? What do they want to learn, or what have they learned (as a evaluation tool at the end)?

Technology is how the project gets done, not the project in itself. Students have to know how to use the technology before they can complete the project. By setting up a technology playground for students, it gives them a chance to explore the tools they will be using.

This chapter is good for our project on weather, because some students might not know some fundamentals on weather. It is important for each student to understand basics before starting, so everyone is on the same page.