Blog Post #11

What Can We Learn About Teaching and Learning From These Teachers?

Brian Crosby

Children like to see things work (experiments). I liked that Brian Crosby had his students set goals or "High Hopes". By doing this and having his students blog about it, he was able to get many people involved in the project. The more you blog, the more you are likely to get responses from others. This is also a great way to learn what is happening in the world. By teaching students through PBL you are empowering them to be learners. Every child should have the same education opportunities. It should not be solely for those with money. Finally, I learned that on line learning can benefit students that are not able to come to class because of a physical disability or sickness. It is a great way for them to be involved in the class.

Paul Andersen

In Paul Andersen's video and his web site, I learned what a Blended Learning Cycle is. The teacher begins by asking an engaging question. This can also be a hook to grab the students attention. Then the students would explore by investigating and experimenting. Next, you would expand by watching a video or by using any other educational tool. You will explain and finish by evaluating the students to see if they understood what they were being taught.
Mr. Andersen's Learning Cycle is:
* Question
* Investigate/Inquiry
* Video
* Elaboration-More depth and more understanding
* Review
* Summary Quiz
Mr. Andersen said, "You haven't learned something until you can explain it to someone else."
I can remember thinking I had learned something but when asked to explain it I didn't know what to say. I agree with him on that. If you truly have learned something you can explain it to someone else. The best way to do that is by hands on and actually showing that you have learned it.

Mark Church

In the video "Making Thinking Visible", Mark Church has the students write down a theme question and posts them on the wall. He explains how you can come back to the questions later in the class year or even later in the lesson and see how the student's thoughts on the subject may have changed. This is a great way to see how much the students have learned and if they have changed their opinions, why have they changed their opinions.


Sam Pane

In the video "Super Digital Citizen", Mr. Pane has the children create a comic super hero for teaching students how to be safe, responsible, and respectful while using the internet. He taught the students that they are in charge of using the internet safely. Students should never give out personal information on the internet.

Dean Shareski

In the video by Dean Shareski, he mentions the use of technology enables teachers to enhance and share student learning. It allows time to blend ideas and content, it allows time to go deeper in to learning, it allows teachers and other students the time to give quality feedback to each student, and it allows teachers to teach beyond the curriculum.

Roosevelt Elementary's PBL Programs

PBL is:
* In depth learning.
* Integrated thematic instruction.
* Based on a "real-world" problem.
* Researched-based.
* Project and presentation.
PBL teaches students to think for themselves. It gives students the chance to solve real world problems and then show whether or not they understand something or not. Students are taught how to complete a project from beginning to end. It also gives students the experience of public speaking (This is the hardest part for me.). It also gives students different ways to learn. This is great because not every child learns in the same ways. When students are put into groups, it makes each member responsible to each other. If I was being honest, I would have to say that this is my biggest hang up to PBL. Most of the times I have been put into groups to do work, there is always someone who does not contribute to all the work. When you put students that work exceptionally hard in order to make good grades, in with students that don't care or does not apply themselves 100 percent, it effects the entire groups work. It is harder the older the student is because they hardly have enough time to complete their own work and if one of the group memebers does not participate, than they have to pick up the slack. On the other side, I have been in groups and have had some hardworking members. In PBL you can incorporate many subjects into one project. The ability to learn through these projects can be great. Children are naturally curious about their environments. This helps them to learn more about their surroundings. It gives them the ability to be involved in their learning.