Parker- Chapter 7 RR

1. Description of the levels of classroom discussions:

Classroom discussions take place on several leaves during project implementations. There is the Teacher to Teacher which is the collegial effort that went into the project planning continues during the implementation phase. Then there is Student to Student where students should be talking about the their learning experiences as the are unfolding, within their teams as well as across other teams. Then finally there is the Teacher to Student which is in a traditional classroom, the lecture format dominates teacher to student interactions. 

2.   Discussion on the questions for checking in on students during a project:

Based on the type of information you want from your students, asking questions about Procedural: Are we staying on schedule? Do we have the right materials available? You want to track progress toward milestones and deadlines and also remind students of the project calendar. Teamwork: How are team members getting along? Is one student carrying too much of the load for the whole team? You want to circulate and ask question to help assess team dynamics. Understanding: You want to spend time observing teams at work, listening to students conversations, and asking probing questions. Self-assessment: You want to find out what students are thinking about the projects, ask questions that encourage self assessment and reflection. Project journals or blogs offer space for students to talk about their challenges or frustrations.

3.   Discussion on the benefits to students when optimizing the use of      technology:

When optimum use of technology, you may find students gaining benefits you didn't think of. Students gain new insights into how to communicate with a culturally diverse audience. 

4. Discussion on the 21st-century skills that can make or break a project:

Troubleshooting is a 21st century skill that distinguishes effective project mangers. Help students learn from setbacks and fine-tune their strategies for getting a project back on track. Teamwork is another 21st century skill that can make or break a project. During project implementation, pay close attention to team dynamics. If there is trouble detected, help students learn to manage their own team conflicts. This is a real life skill that will seve them well for years.