Reading Reflection 2

1.  Discussion on the focus of Learning Communities.

The focus of Learning Communities is collaboration, teacher collaboration, student collaboration, teamwork in general is the main focus.  It allows teachers to share ideas and to give constructive criticism to each other about how to improve lessons and classroom management.

2. Discussion on the benefits of Learning Communities.

Some benefits of Learning Communities are being able to work with others in your field.  You're able to share your ideas with others and at the same time you gain ideas from them. Your students get the benefits of having more than one way to approach different learning strategies. Some other general benefits are teachers aren't so isolated, there's a shared responsibility and increased commitment to the mission.

3.Discussion on how Learning Communities affect teachers.

They give teachers the opportunity to collaborate on lesson plans, see what works and what doesn't, before you even get into the classroom. Some learning communities are given grants to work with, that gives them access to technology or working with schools from across the world. Other teachers feedback can help see what was previously overlooked in any given lesson plan. On the other hand learning communities take time that maybe not every teacher can afford.

4.Discussion on how Learning Communities affect students.

Students get the most benefits from learning communities because the focus is clearly on them. When you have learning communities in the school, not just the classroom it gives the students opportunities to work with other students who are maybe older or younger, who can give a different perspective. Being able to work well with others is a vital part of learning communities and life in general. This provides more student to student learning instead of teacher to student learning.

5.Discussion on  the components for shared vision in Learning communities.

Shared vision is important in learning communities but its not everything. the overall vision should look the same but how you get there can look very different to each person. in the chapter one teacher talked about respect being a highly important factor in any successful learning community and i completely agree. Colleagues don't have to agree on everything but i think they do have to respect others thoughts and ideas.

6. Discussion on how concepts in this chapter relate to your topic/project.

I think learning communities or in other words group work is very helpful in learning and sharing ideas. I know I work better in groups than by myself, I personally find it very helpful to bounce ideas off others and get their input if I'm stuck on something. For this upcoming project working with others is essential and I think the project can only benefit from sharing our ideas and working as a team to get it done effectively.

Reflection #2

1.            Discussion on the focus of Learning Communities.

The focus of a Learning Community is to promote collaborative learning among all of the different age groups and teachers in one classroom. This allows for the classroom to have multiple teachers and give them the chance to work together and overcome isolation and teaching by themselves.

2.            Discussion on the benefits of Learning Communities.

Being able to have multiple teachers working together in the classroom is already one plus of Learning Communities. In chapter 2 Mueller states what helped in making the professional learning community so successful. She said, “ We pushed each other to take projects to the next level. We were never comfortable with something being ‘’just ok,’’ she says. We share a passion for learning--we have that “gotta know” attitude. We want to know what’s out there, and what we can bring in to our classrooms to help our kids learn” (27-28, Mueller). When the students are looking at the behaviors of all the teamwork between teachers, they will learn how to be successful and work together.

3.     Discussion on how Learning Communities affect teachers.

Learning Communities affect teachers a lot because they show them that teamwork is key and they are not alone. Learning Communities allows them to put their ideas together and provide a successful classroom for the students. They help provide an increase in commitment and lead to a powerful learning environment for everyone.

4.        Discussion on how Learning Communities affect students.

Learning Communities can also benefit the students because it gives them a large range of other students and multiple teachers to work with. They learn new patterns of thinking and they tend to think differently while working with people they may have never even thought about working with before.

5.     Discussion on the components for shared vision in Learning Communities.

Shared vision in Learning Communities is important because there must be respect given to each other along the way of learning. When you’re working together you have to be able to trust who you are working with to be able to gain all you need to and reach your educational goal.

6.     Discussion on how concepts in this chapter relate to your topic/project.

Learning Communities relates to our project because we all have to work in groups with other members and create our own projects. We all are contributing our own ideas and it is important we respect everyone we are working with so we are able to succeed and reach our goal.

Reflection #2

1. Discussion on the focus of Learning Communities.

The main focus on Learning Communities is to bring different age groups (close in range) in one classroom with multiple teachers. This provides the students with more than one teacher to listen to each day. It gives teachers the opportunity to collaborate ideas and brainstorm together rather than doing it all on your own.

2. Discussion on the benefits of Learning Communities.

As stated above, Learning Communities provide the opportunity for a classroom to have multiple teachers which produce a better education. “Through collaboration, teachers see the type and quality of work that students can produce in different settings with different teachers, a practice that almost always results in a greater appreciation of students’ talents and raised expectations of even the lowest-performing students” (pg.26 Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation). This state backs up the benefits of Learning Communities described in both question one and question two. When students see teachers working together to form a classroom, this sets an example for teamwork and how I only helps in real world situations. All in all, Learning Communities provide the benefits of decreased teacher isolation, increased commitment to the mission, shared responsibility, more powerful learning, and a higher likelihood of fundamental, systemic change (pg.33 HORD).

3. Discussion on how Learning Communities affect teachers.

Learning Communities show teachers that they are not on their own! They have peers and other teachers that are there and willing to work alongside you. In order for teachers to succeed, they need help and support from other teachers. Learning communities provides the environment for teachers to support each other and set aside the time for teacher-to-teacher collaboration. Learning Communities also provide teachers with the opportunities to share their teaching philosophy and when you find that teacher that has the same philosophy as you, you can work as a team to develop a teaching strategy that will benefit all students. Learning Communities provide a powerful learning environment.

4. Discussion on how Learning Communities affect students.

As I stated in question two, when students see teachers working as a team, it allows them to feel more comfortable working with others. Teachers are only examples for their students and practicing what you preach will only benefit the students. As a student, working with younger or older students allows the opportunity for each student to learn from other students. This allows the time for student-to-student teaching rather than teacher-to-student teaching. Learning Communities form relationships that some students or teachers never knew they would have. These relationships may include working with students of a different cultural background, different gender, or just someone who you've never met before.

5. Discussion on the components for shared vision in Learning Communities.

The components for shared vision in Learning Communities include intention, respect and trust. In order to work as a team, there must be respect given to one another along with the trust that everyone will commit to what they agreed upon. Support throughout co-workers is also extremely important. If a teacher doesn't have the support coming from a co-teacher, they don’t feel like they are doing their best as a teacher. Critical feedback is included in respect and trust. Everyone needs critical feedback in order to advance in their education or achieve certain goals.

6. Discussion on how concepts in this chapter relate to your topic/project.

Learning Communities relates to our project because I am teaming up with two other students to provide a project based on facts and Project Based Learning. We are using the collaboration of ideas to form a solid project and working together as a team to succeed in our mission as students learning to become teachers.  

Reading Reflection #1

1. Discussion on what you need to keep in mind as you start the journey through Project-Based Learning (PBL).

While you begin your journey through PBL you need to keep in mind that technology is ever changing and your students need to be a part of that. Don't be afraid of PBL its there to help further your students knowledge and yours too. teachers can have learning experiences just like their students and with PBL, if they aren't very familiar with it, it could be a learning experience for both. So keep an open mind and dive right in with your students.

2. Discussion on the overall benefits of the PBL approach.

Some overall benefits are students work together to solve problems that matter to them because they picked the topic or the sub topic. When students use digital tools for PBL they are being better prepared for the "tech savvy" world we live in. this approach gives teachers the ability to not be the center of attention teaching but interact with your students differently.

3. Discussion on the benefits to students who participate in PBL.

Like i mentioned before students work together to solve their problem and that generates teamwork and building relationships with others. When students are working with others outside their country or even continent, they learn to be flexible with their working hours, because it could be morning here when its night somewhere else. Students learn to break through cultural differences by developing good communication skills. Overall students projects can help students see things they wouldn't of normally or help clarify the big picture.

4. Discussion on what issues need to be considered in PBL approach.

For teachers PBL is going to be a good amount of beforehand work and organization. facilitating the technology the students will need for their projects, distinguishing what is fact and what is opinion from the information they come across. For teachers who haven't done PBl before will have their work cut out for them but it will be beneficial in the long run. its important for teachers to be well informed about the technology their students will be using, so they can help face any challenges that could come along.

5. Discussion on New Technology High as an example of the new technology model.

New tech High is a fascinating concept where PBl is at the core of the curriculum. it was founded in Napa,California in 1996, when there was concern from local business leaders that students weren't meeting the needs of the workforce of the 21st century. so they funded for New Technology High to become reality. Its a place where students learn to think critically and collaborate as a part of a team, and use technology as a tool for solving problems. There are now 24 New Tech sites where this type of leaning is taking place.

Reading Reflection #1

   1.Discussion on what you need to keep in mind as you start the journey through Project-Based Learning (PBL).

This journey is new to us all and we still are learning new things about it everyday. Technology has become a much bigger necessity in the classroom and both students and teachers are learning the benefits together. You need to keep in mind that some things may not be quick and easy to learn, but technology will give us more opportunities to teach and learn.

2. Discussion on the overall benefits of the PBL approach.

The PBL offers many benefits to both teachers and students. The technology helps the students to think more on their own and find information from all around the world. Overall, it helps to boost their supportive learning skills and improve their overall academic performance. PBL focuses on specific goals that most children are really interested in or curious about finding out more.

3. Discussion on the benefits to students who participate in PBL.

Project-Based Learning lets the students be involved and puts them in an active role of teaching and learning. Most students using this approach have an increase in their attitude about learning and gain more academically. PBL assists students in developing complex skills. They learn to discover, communicate, problem solve, and think in a whole different way. The students are usually allowed to choose what they want their project to be about, which lets them pick something they find interesting and want to learn more about. The students take on the role of the teacher and are taking on real world activities that are giving them so much experience in the classroom and outside of it.

4. Discussion on what issues need to be considered in PBL approach.

Paul Curtis explained that you most likely will run into troubles with PBL if every classroom is not structured and actually using the Project-Based Learning approach. Teachers may come across issues with PBL because they have to adopt all these new strategies to help teach their students to learn, while they are learning it alongside their students. Developing assessments, projects, and just managing this new learning process may be difficult for many as well.

5. Discussion on New Technology High as an example of New Technology Model.

New Technology High is our model for what the future is becoming. Technology is advancing our classroom and teaching in many different ways. This technology should be used in all classrooms to help their students learn with this new teaching tool. All schools can implement this with the help of a supportive administration and with team planning to help all students succeed. 

1. Discussion on what you need to keep in mind as you start the journey through Project-Based Learning (PBL).

Technology is a tool that is new to the teaching world. Teachers are learning right along with the students in their classrooms. Technology allows students to interact with real world situations and provides them with the opportunity to broaden their spectrum of learning.

2. Discussion on the overall benefits of the PBL approach.

The PBL approach provides the every day classroom with an opportunity to switch the roles of the classroom. The teacher now listens to the students as they pursue their own questions and create their own meaning (pg. 11). Technology provides students with the opportunity to compare and contrast information from all around the world. PBL allows students to experiment with open-ended questions while applying their own knowledge in which technology will help enhance that knowledge. As Boss et all state, "...the result is transformative, for both teachers and learners" (pg.12). 

3. Discussion on the benefits to students who participate in PBL.

As I stated in number two, PBL allows students to become their own teacher (with the guidance of a teacher). PBL allows students to discover, collaborate and communicate in a way that they weren't able to before (pg. 12). PBL provides the opportunity to engage in the worlds growth and relate situations evolving around the world. Scott Durham expresses his delightedness with the positive outcomes with the use of PBL in the classrooms, "I've gained such freedom as a teacher knowing that my students are now free to find meaning for themselves" (pg.13). PBL also gives the students the opportunity to create memorable learning experiences. With that said, students will be more excited to learn from themselves along with others throughout the technology world. Overall, students will develop inquiry skills, shared working hours, communication skills, understanding of other individuals, and develop an understand of how the world works. 

4. Discussion on what issues need to be considered in PBL approach.

Paul Curtis ran in to some troubles as he tried to pursue the idea of PBL. He explains that if the whole school isn't following PBL then you are going to be fighting a uphill battle (pg. 15). Every classroom should be structured in the same way. This allows the students to be more engaged and understand that working as a team is really important in the real world. I would have loved PBL in my classrooms in High School. It would have prepared me for college and made me feel more comfortable with collaboration with other students. Technology involves updates and constant learning of new tools and information. Technology is continuously evolving. 

5. Discussion on New Technology High as an example of New Technology Model.

New Technology High has proved that technology needs to be used in the classroom and not ignored. Technology has become a life long tool and NTH has embraced that tool. They provided their students with the opportunity to be apart of a drastic teaching tool that helps each student succeed. Another thing that I strongly believe should be involved with every school is teacher collaboration, continuous staff meetings on the importance of the students needs, and shared planning hours. Teamwork is key!