Reading Reflection 4

Chapter 4: Strategies for discovery

Reviewing Projects

·       Be careful of using projects that have been made by others.  Just because they have a great idea doesn't mean that the project itself is great.  It is important to evaluate the project to make sure it is sufficient. 

·       However, when you decide to create your own project it is helpful to review others so you can plan yours.  By looking at other plans you can evaluate what worked and what didn't.  Then, you can use what you learned from the other plans to help put yours together. 

Overcoming Pitfalls

·       Potential pitfall: Long on activity, short on learning outcomes.

   *Is the project long?

   * Is the project busy?

   *Is it worth your student’s time?

   * How much do the students learn?

·       Potential pitfall: Technology layered over traditional practice.

* “Good projects focus on reaching significant learning outcomes, not merely making use of technology applications.” (pg 61)

* Having students do research and then present it with some electronic slideshow isn’t always the best option. 

·       Potential pitfall: Trivial thematic units.

*”A thematic approach can be trivial, but it doesn't have to be.” (61)

*Think about a theme for the whole year that would help students make meaningful connections.

·       Potential pitfall: Overly scripted with many, many steps.

*Projects are the most effective when the students have to make the main decisions. 

* Sometimes the simpler the steps the more productive it is.

·       The best projects share important features

* “Are loosely designed with the possibility of different learning paths.” (65)

* “Have students learn by doing.” (65)

* “Are structured so students learn with and from each other.” (65)

* “Tap rich data or primary sources.” (65)

I think all of the qualities on page 65 are great features for projects, but the ones I listed above I think were the best. This chapter was full of great tips about how to start a project and what to include in it and leave out.  I really enjoyed learning that long projects aren’t always the most efficient.  Sometimes the similar the project is the better.