Reading Reflection #1

1. When starting the journey through Project-Based Learning, I need to keep in mind that just letting children using a computer isn't quite enough. To have an effective and productive journey through Project-Based Learning I must develop hands-on learning experiences with technology. I need to also remember that Project-Based Learning is a learning experience for myself, as a teacher, too. I want and need to give my students a chance to engage in the lessons better with technology. For example, instead of just having students look up information about how to build a house,  they could create blueprints and build a small model of a house.

2. The overall benefits of the PBL approach are projects are built into the curriculum, it helps everyone gain the necessary skills to problem solve problems, learners pursue their own questions to create their own meaning, technology is effectively and efficiently integrated into classrooms, and it engages everyone in the classroom to learn.

3. The benefits to students who participate in PBL are that they are able to participate in real-world activities, learn how to work collaboratively to solve problems, they gain better communication and inquiry skills, learn how to be flexible, and learn how the world works.

4. The issues that need to be considered in the PBL approach are it takes time to develop new effective, engaging instructional strategies, for veteran teachers it could be challenging to restructure their classroom management styles, and project design is front-loaded work which means teachers must invest in lots of preparation and planning.

5. New Technology High is a school that was designed to meet the needs of the 21st-century learners.  They challenge their students to think critically, collaborate as part of a team, and use technology to solve problems. New Technology High is a smaller school where the student to teacher ratio is also small which is a benefit because it leaves more time for learning and less time for student management issues. I really like that they give teachers the time to get together to work as a team to determine lesson plans/projects for their students. I also really enjoyed that New Technology High has a computer accessible for every student at all times. I hope that one day the school I work at can be just as advanced and technologically efficient as New Technology High.