Project Based Learning Part 1 and Part 2
For this week's blog assignment, we were given several sources to watch that involved Dr. Strange's Skype conversations with a former EDM310 student and friend of the class, Anthony Capps. Mr. Capps is now a 3rd grade teacher in Baldwin County, and he is a primarily project based teacher. This means he bases his teaching style from projects in which students are creating something while they are learning. In EDM310, we, as future 21st Century teachers, are learning to become well-rounded, project based teachers and life long learners. EDM310 is PROJECT based, so everything we do in the class requires us to leave our comfort zones, and actually branch out in order to learn. Mr. Capps uses a similar technique in his classroom.
In both Part 1 and Part 2 of his conversations on Project Based Learning with Dr. Strange, Mr. Capps makes many valid points about the effectiveness of the teaching style. Capps states that project based learning is not only effective because it is relevant to kids lives, but that the projects are driven by content. This means that they are active participants in their learning experience. A project that he mentions is one in which students wrote letters to Congressman Jo Bonner. Not only did this project allow Reading, Social Studies, and Writing standards to be fulfilled, but it also was effective in the community because it was written to a local official.
Mr. Capps goes into further detail about how students used many resources to find female/minority figures that overcame obstacles in order to press current headlining issues. This project kept students interested because they had family and friends that they were able to use as resources for their projects, and when the project was done the student critiqued each others letters and chose 8 of their favorite letters to be sent off to Jo Bonner's office.
Another project that engaged students interest was the assignment to write a script as if they were a student in Afghanistan and this script was, in turn, made into a movie. This project allowed students to be creative. Some students focused on fashion and hair, while others focused on other topics like war and religion. In one case, the father of a student wanted to keep the child sheltered from Afghan culture, however, student still did an alternate science project. When asked his opinion on the work of his 3rd graders versus that of juniors in EDM310, Capps states that when compared side by side, the best looks like the best and the worst looks like the worst; the only difference being, his product was made by 9 year olds and Dr. Strange’s were by adults.
Here is my favorite quote from Capps in Part 2:
Icurio
After watching this video of Dr. Strange and Mr. Capp's conversation about Icurio, I can honestly say that I want to know more and will definitely research more about this search engine! I might even use it for my students. I love the fact that it is kid friendly and has filtered content. This is extremely important since I am planning on teaching in an elementary. On an organizational level, I feel that it is extremely useful for not only students, but for teachers as well. I also love the fact that Icurio has read aloud text available for students with disabilities, and that students can store information in folders and come back to it. It seems easily accessible! I cannot wait to give it a try
Discovery Ed
Discovery Ed KEEPS STUDENTS ENGAGED. Basically, what it does is find visuals to a topic. Discovery Ed is a great tool because it is nothing like the black and white pages of a book; it gives students something to relate to and look at! In addition to providing visual aid, Discovery Ed allows students of different learning styles to be actively involved. Of course, this tool would be heaven for a visual learner, but it keeps other students engaged by providing more information than just from their teacher or a textbook. This gives students options and multiple resources. I would've loved to have had this growing up!
The Anthony-Strange List of Tips for Teachers Part 1
After watching this video, the main thing that I learned was that its okay if things do not always go as planned as a new teacher, but we need to have a plan. We also must learn to critique our plans around our students. As a teacher, our jobs will never be over. The opportunities to learn are endless, and we can't put a cap on a year and say that this is all the information that we can possibly squeeze in. However, we also cannot be unrealistic and expect to get everything done in a day, or a week, or a year even. Every moment is a teachable/learnable moment, and that is what we thrive upon. Flexibility and creativity plays a large part in our roles, as well. We should constantly strive to find innovative and engaging ways to get a subject through the brains of our students. Reflection also plays a key part in our jobs, and feedback from parents and students is crucial. We should constantly look for room for improvement, and not be afraid to practice our teaching styles and to branch out. We must also question ourselves. "Did my students enjoy and learn from this lesson?" "Was it effective in engaging students interest and involvement?" Rome was not built in a day. The same goes for teaching. I can definitely say I learned quite a bit from this video, and it makes me eager to begin practicing my teaching style.
Don't Teach Tech-Use It
In this video, Mr. Capps tells us to utilize technology in our classrooms, but not to go overboard. I agree with this 100 percent. Growing up, technology was introduced to my classmates and I at a much slower rate than what it is now! Now a days, technology is basically being shoved in children's faces. Mr. Capps states that students should be given a chance to master using one form of technology before moving on to the next tool. This will make students confident when using these tools, and give them skills they can use for a lifetime.
As teachers, however, we should still keep in mind that we are dealing with children, and we cannot expect our students to master these tools right off hand. However, what Mr. Capps does suggest we do is allow students room for mistakes and time for self reflection. We should never TEACH technology, but instead, "introduce it smartly."
I definitely plan to take this into consideration when I do begin to work with my students because I know sometimes it can be difficult to find patience when dealing with technology. I immediately think of all the possible backgrounds that my students will probably come from, and there is no way that all of them will react the same to new technology. All I can do is try my best to think of creative ways to introduce it to them and help them master it.
Additional Thoughts about Lessons
In the final video, Mr. Capps points out a subject that he left out of the conversation, and it was about lessons. According to Capps, a lesson is at least 4 layers thick. We must think about the overall, like are we covering Content Standards and making sure we get those done throughout the year. Then we must think about unit projects that are meaningful and can be broken up over a number of weeks to get our points across. Third, we must think about goals for each week, and if we have accomplished those goals. Last, we must think about daily lessons, and how we deliver material.
I felt that this was a great way of looking at things. I honestly never thought to break lessons down like that, but Mr. Capps is completely correct, in my opinion. It is great to have covered all the material, but are our students retaining any of that information? It is also great to have gone into detail and broken things down all the time, but do our students get the bigger picture? It is a great thing to have balance, and with this viewpoint that Mr. Capps suggests, balance does not seem to be a problem!
How did you view Anthony Capps conversations with Dr. Strange? I would love to hear your feedback.
