Reading Reflection 8

1.   Description of some ways to build connections and branch out beyond the classroom.

In order to branch out and make connections outside of the classroom, you must know what recourses are available to you and your students. Utilizing technology is a great thing that can help you do this, especially through the use of blogs. If a teacher can open doors for their students, the information and knowledge that they can gain from outside resources is endless. When students utilize the world outside of them, they are making the connections to the real world themselves therefore making their learning that much more substantial. Students need to learn how to communicate and receive information from people working in the fields they are researching in order to truly utilize the community.

2.   Description of the EAST Initiative Model.

 The Environmental and Spatial Technologies (EAST) is a model that requires students to utilize technology in a positive and engaging way. This initiative model helps students do projects that will allow them to master different technologies while solving a community problem. There are four parts to the model, which includes student driven learning, authentic project based learning, technology as tools, and collaboration. Through this model, teachers will learn to take a step back and facilitate learning rather then direct it, also known as the transition from project leader to project supervisor. The EAST model provides teachers with ongoing support and students with collaborative student based learning of technology.

3.   Discussion on some reasons to let students “lead” their projects.

Allowing students to lead their own projects allows them to determine what they want to gain from the project. When students are in charge of their own projects they have a stake in their learning and it means that much more to them. Teachers are then allowed to step back and do not have to micromanage every single student because they are collaborating and helping themselves.

4. This chapter relates to our topic because we can utilize the topics discussed to encourage connections between the classroom and the community. We can also utilize this teaching style described in the chapter to become facilitators of learning rather then  the traditional approach of teacher directed classrooms.