Connections to Student Teaching
Project Based Learning is different from only having projects for the students at the end of a unit for them to apply what they learn. Project based learning is where the entire method of teaching and learning is centered around the students completing a project of their own. I don't quite understand how this can apply to all topics but I like the idea of using a project rather than an assessment. Of course, that project must be practical and applicable to a real world problem solving situation that students would find in their career field.
That's my major beef with the typical school project we do. It's run of the mill and doesn't require the students to apply their knowledge in a new way. It is important that while I'm in student teaching, I make it a point to use projects that mimic the problem solving done in the current job market.
Also, I think adding reflection to a project, even if it is used as an assessment, should be paired with a short reflection on what they created and/or learned while engaging in the coursework. This should likely happen in a brief manner but it would be beneficial to learn how teachers are currently doing this.
Connections to Other AEE Courses
This content surely relates to what we learned in #AEE311 when we first talked about Kolb's theory of experiential learning. This theory is relevant because it emphasizes the necessity for a student to reflect after making conceptualizations about an experience. A project allows a student to test any abstract conceptualizations they may have.
Triangulated Connection
On a similar but different note, here are a list of problem solving questions that can be used in an interview to enhance higher level thinking. I think the same thought process can be used for our students when assessing their knowledge in a formal or informal setting. https://hr.usu.edu/employment/resources/Behavior%20and%20Situation%20Based%20Interview%20Question%20Library.pdf
Hey Justin. I like how you focused on project based learning here. I learned a lot about how projects differ from project based learning from the reading. An idea I had centered around this idea is to make a unit long project to employ project based learning. Do you have any ideas on what type of project would work best for this? Great thoughts here!
ReplyDeleteJustin, Reflection and assessment go together like peanut butter and jelly! Why not include a guided and authentic reflection as an assessment for comprehension? You are spot on with your idea and I think as always brevity is ideal. Make it quick and in the moment, so that the experiential opportunities are maximized.
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