reflection 1

Catherine Hinckley

January 30, 2015

     Everyday our world is becoming more advanced, especially when it comes to technology.  It's important to incorporate technology into everyday teaching and Project-based learning does just that.  Teachers need to understand that today's students are up for the challenge that the digital world brings.  Now a days you see four year old children taking pictures and young teenagers posting videos on the internet.  Project-based learning is all about the students and how can you as a teacher improve their learning experience plus your teaching experience.  Also be aware that it will be a big change in the way you teach and you will be in a way learning alone with your students.  The more you practice this teaching style the easier you will be able to incorporate Project-based learning into everyday teaching and it will be worth it.
     Through project based learning students have the opportunity to control they're own learning rather than just reading out of a textbook everyday.  Students would also be more prepared for the work force especially since many of the jobs that are in high demand have something to do with technology.  When students engage in real world projects their experiences totally change.  Projects become the center point of the curriculum rather than just something extra or something to do when the teacher has run our of things to teach.
     PBL provides students questions to where there isn't one exact right answer, there may be more than one answer and this leaves it open for discussion and students can apply they're knowledge for more authentic solutions.  Students are more prepared for the future which is always changing.  Because PBL is newer it is not fully understood by everyone such as parents.  As a teacher you have to understand that parents may not know why they're student is always doing products instead of learning the way they used to.  They may only see their children on computers and not want them to be, in this case PBL would need to be explained and showed how it actually improves learning.
     New Technology High  was designed to meet the needs of 21st Century learners.  The school had to find a better, more productive way to prepare students for working together like they would have to in the work force.  Also the online assessment tools allow teachers to provide students with feedback that goes beyond just a single grade.  New Technology High is definitely a forward thinking school.