Jul 02 2009
Thing 13: An easy way to attend a conference
Kicking it up a Notch: Oh, the Possibilities, a presentation by Lisa Parisi on Project Based Learning was well worth my time. After viewing another brief presentation on Web 2.0 tools that was just so-so, I hesitated to try another one, but I am glad that I did. I found that after a few minutes into watching her presentation, I had to pause it, and write down some notes. I definitely found some valuable information about how to manage Project Based Learning in my classroom. The biggest component is to plan. Start out small at first, perhaps telling the class they are all going to do a podcast for the first project. Then as the year progresses, and you’ve used more and more tools, and the students have learned them, you can open the door up to student choice. Keep a list of tools that you have taught, with the kids names next to them who are “experts” using that tool so that they can help out others.
Also, something else I wrote down that I really liked was “Ask 3 before me.” I had never heard this before, but can’t wait to introduce it Day 1 next year. If a student has a question, they are to ask three people in the class, and if after that, they still do not have an answer, then 4 students should all be coming to you with that same question. I LOVE it!
I look forward to perusing through more of the conference classes and watching some more.
I love project based learning and Kicking it up a Notch sounds awesome. Ask 3 then me is a wonderful technique.
Keep in mind that the students have experienced many tools that you may want to introduce. Be sure to find out from either the 4th grade teachers or the technology department what they already know how to do. You can give choices much earlier than you think.
Project based learning sounds like a great way to go. Perhaps we can do a Web 2.0 project using one or more of the tools we are using this summer at school this year based on a reading assignment/book report. We can do some brainstorming about this once school starts.