Reflection #6

1.            Discuss how technology tools can encourage students to be reflective and evaluate their own strengths.

Technology tools can encourage students to be reflective and evaluate their own strengths by trying different tools and learning how to use them. They will organize their work, work independently, in groups, help others, and ask questions to learn more. They can evaluate their success as they overcome obstacles and become more experienced with the tools.

2.            Describe several ways in which you can get students’ minds ready for a project.

Many teachers first start by introducing projects with a Know-Wonder-Learn activity to help waking up their minds and get them thinking. You need to start by getting your students interested and giving them time for the project idea to sink in. Also, having a kickoff activity or presentation before a project will really get the students excited and prepared to start.

3.            Discuss the elements of teaching fundamentals first.

In order for students to work on their projects independently and find information they first need to learn prerequisite knowledge and skills. Teachers do not want students to have to spend time researching the projects and even heading towards the wrong direction when the teacher could point them in the right direction on where to start and what it’s about.

4.            Describe the important steps in preparing students for using technology in project.

There are many steps when preparing students for using technology in their projects. Sometimes the students can work with other students or some advanced planning is required. You need to think about what resources will be available to your students and if they know how to use them. There are many questions that you can ask your students to see where everyone is at with technology.  

5.            Discuss ways to promote inquiry and deep learning.

Starting your students off with some information may be a good idea but then allowing your students to do research and think about their topics will help them gain a deeper meaning and learning. Encourage your students to come up with new ideas and get them excited about their project and learning the information. 

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

This chapter relates to our project because it talks a lot about how we need to be prepared and how we can help our students become prepared. Also, allowing our students to be independent and research their own ideas to get excited and help get their minds ready for a project.