Comments on: Overwhelmed and loving it!

By: Information overload?! « Constructive Interference

Information overload?! « Constructive Interference — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 08:50:58 +0000

[...] this where I am headed? See overwhelmed (Jeff [...]

By: Information Overload !! « Constructive Interference

Information Overload !! « Constructive Interference — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 13:24:49 +0000

[...] this where I am headed? See overwhelmed (Jeff [...]

By: Jeff Utecht

Jeff Utecht — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 05:39:03 +0000

I agree….as long as our schools focus on content…content that can be learned “just in time” instead of learning “just in case” we won’t find the time to focus on the skills of actually using, analyzing and creating bigger projects.

Setting up global projects are difficult do to time zone issues. That is where a wiki comes in nicely as you do not all have to be on at the same time. I find the hardest part of doing a global project is actually finding other schools/teachers who are willing to do a project with a class here. Making the initial connections is the hardest part. Finding educational communities like the Classroom 2.0 Ning is the best way to get connected. http://www.classroom20.com

By: Jen Carbonneau

Jen Carbonneau — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 04:33:57 +0000

In our school system, students do not receive a formal technology education until they reach high school. It is really an injustice for our students. What I introduce them to in my classroom is a first for many of the students. Though perhaps half of the students have internet access at home, they still have trouble understanding how to use email and its features.Our school has a long way to go to even touch upon the features of web 2.0.

By: Louise Maine

Louise Maine — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 03:08:32 +0000

Jeff,

Thanks for the reply. I actually am using Inquiry and Project based learning in my class. We also look at the world and health of the people through the Biology lens. Maybe I am thinking too big, but a project with other global members could take so much more time to do something right versus just a sharing of information. It really is a curricular issue with the amount of content that makes even the use of PBL/Inquiry difficult.

By: Jeff Utecht

Jeff Utecht — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 02:47:03 +0000

Jen,

There were 7th and 8th graders at the conference, and I’ve seen other project-based learning models like this use in the middle school very successfully.

This project was done by two 7th grade Science teachers:

http://env-ngo.wikispaces.com/

The same concept, in their school, looking at global environmental problems through a project.

By: Jeff Utecht

Jeff Utecht — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 02:44:25 +0000

Elise,

What I was referring to in that statement was the ability to empower student in the learning process. That’s really what the conference was about. It was about good teaching practices. It was meeting with a purpose. It was engaging students in solving a real world problem…or at least researching it, and coming up with what they think a solution might be. That, I believe, is just good teaching and can be done in every classroom.

By: Jeff Utecht

Jeff Utecht — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 02:13:37 +0000

Louise,

I think Project-Based Learning can be used in any class in any content area. There are a lot of issues in the world today that I think you could fit into a Biology or Chemistry. Looking at the science research that is coming from around the world.

A quick Google News search http://tinyurl.com/cye5jh and you have what is being discussed about Biology. Like the wild fires in CA a few months ago and what researching are learning about the land, and how some are calling it a good thing. Why?

We need to teach content through these experiences. No not every student can fly to Qatar, but ever student can learn about Biology and what is happening in the field around the world, and maybe why water tests in Africa are important, and drilling for oil in the middle east and the impact on the area is starting to show it’s wear.

Just some thinking.

By: Jen Carbonneau

Jen Carbonneau — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 00:50:53 +0000

I have followed the experience of students at the Flatclassroom Conference through Vicki’s Cool Cat Teacher blog posts. I was very impressed! What a powerful experience for students and teachers alike. Though a teacher of English/LA for seventh graders, I find myself wondering if the maturity of my students could handle such an experience. (I want to find a HS English teaching position and connect my students ((and myself)) to such an experience.)

By: Elise

Elise — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 16:06:19 +0000

Jeff, thanks for your continued inspiration. However, I cringed a bit when I read, “…what Vicki and Julie put together for the weekend conference isn’t anything that could not be done in any classroom anywhere in the world.” Teachers need to know that it takes years and loads of support to get to where Vicki and Julie are. Change is a journey and we do a disservice when we leave folks with the impression that this is something everyone can do if they just put their minds to it, or, is something that can be done as a first foray into project based learning. Without support, I don’t believe I could create a project like that (in my inclusion classroom of 28 fifth graders), and I have been working at this for years!