- The focus of learning communities is for students to learn about a specific topic by working within a group of students. In learning communities students also develop the skills and dispositions necessary in the world outside of the classroom. The students learn communication, problem solving, project management, motivation, and persistence.
- There are more benefits to learning communities than the skills the students learn. Other benefits include decreased teacher isolation, increased commitment to the mission, shared responsibility, more powerful learning, and a higher likelihood of fundamental, systemic change. These benefits are very effective as it also teaches the students things they will have to do as adults in the future. The learning communities teach students commitment and responsibility, which are key once they start going into their careers. The concept of learning communities was revolutionary when it hit the business community, therefore this type of learning will help students prepare for those types of jobs.
- Learning communities affect teachers by maybe making them change what they do in the classroom. To have learning communities be effective, the teacher may have to use different strategies that they have not used in the past. Teachers should restructure their interactions with fellow teachers. The teachers do this by watching and reflecting on each other's classroom interactions, learning to give each other critical feedback, capitalizing on the wisdom of the group, and engaging in new patterns of thinking.
- Learning communities will affect students in many positive ways. the way of learning will give students abilities to work well with others. As stated earlier, the students will perform tasks that will help them when going into numerous different types of careers. If students do not work well with others the communities may cause behavior problems with those students.
- The components for shared vision in learning communities are have a clear sense of mission, share a vision of the conditions they must create to achieve the mission, work together in collaborative teams to determine the best practice to achieve the mission, organize into groups headed by teacher-leaders, focus on student learning, are goal- and results-oriented, collaborate with each other, hold shared values and beliefs, commit themselves to continuous improvement, and see themselves as life-long learners. These components mean that it is important for everyone within the community is on the same page. It also discusses the importance of the focus on the student and what they are trying to accomplish.
- The thing that relates the chapter to our project is the fact that we are working in groups. As stated earlier, it is important for everyone in our group project is on the same page and have a clear sense of the mission.
Friday, September 26, 2014
Reading Response 2
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Reflection #2
1. The focus of learning communities is to bring the teachers together to bring out each others strengths. It teaches teachers to work together for the benefit of the students. Teachers can brainstorm different ways to do activities and work together for certain lessons.
2. The benefits is that it creates new opportunities for teachers to work together and overcome the traditional isolation of the profession. They can build off of each others experience and help the newer teacher become aware. Sitting down with a group of teachers can benefit. Working in numbers is power.
3. The affects for teachers is giving teachers chances to evaluate and reflect on each others work. I am a firm believer in knowing your strengths and using them to your advantage. I personally hope to find a teacher that will work with me hand in hand, I can teach my strong subjects and she can teach hers. This gives the students a chance to see new faces.
4. The affects this strategy has on students is enormous. The students are given the best education they can get. They are receiving the strengths of multiple teachers. This helps for students to become more successful as they continue on in their education. It helps broaden their understanding of certain subjects. Rotating students between two or more classrooms can also help students with behavioral issues. They may also feel as though they are receiving the attention they need from multiple teachers. It helps to give the students a new view when learning difficult subjects.
5. The benefits of shared learning in communities is even more broad then sharing a classroom with one teacher. The more teachers that come together the more knowledge each teacher has. Communities that can come together for the better of the children have exposure to many different teaching styles. Teachers learn to take what they want and leave what they don't want. This also helps to ensure that children in one school are learning the same thing as a student in another school.
6. Concepts in this chapter relate to our topic because for one I am not doing this project alone, I have two other people working with me to ensure that we use each other and put the best work forward. We are able to bring different ideas and lessons to the table. Another way this connects to my topic is the whole idea of children coming first, I always think of the children first. You have to actually put some thought into what your doing before you present it to children. My teammates and I plan on putting lots of thought into our project and making sure its the best!
1. The focus of learning communities is to bring the teachers together to bring out each others strengths. It teaches teachers to work together for the benefit of the students. Teachers can brainstorm different ways to do activities and work together for certain lessons.
2. The benefits is that it creates new opportunities for teachers to work together and overcome the traditional isolation of the profession. They can build off of each others experience and help the newer teacher become aware. Sitting down with a group of teachers can benefit. Working in numbers is power.
3. The affects for teachers is giving teachers chances to evaluate and reflect on each others work. I am a firm believer in knowing your strengths and using them to your advantage. I personally hope to find a teacher that will work with me hand in hand, I can teach my strong subjects and she can teach hers. This gives the students a chance to see new faces.
4. The affects this strategy has on students is enormous. The students are given the best education they can get. They are receiving the strengths of multiple teachers. This helps for students to become more successful as they continue on in their education. It helps broaden their understanding of certain subjects. Rotating students between two or more classrooms can also help students with behavioral issues. They may also feel as though they are receiving the attention they need from multiple teachers. It helps to give the students a new view when learning difficult subjects.
5. The benefits of shared learning in communities is even more broad then sharing a classroom with one teacher. The more teachers that come together the more knowledge each teacher has. Communities that can come together for the better of the children have exposure to many different teaching styles. Teachers learn to take what they want and leave what they don't want. This also helps to ensure that children in one school are learning the same thing as a student in another school.
6. Concepts in this chapter relate to our topic because for one I am not doing this project alone, I have two other people working with me to ensure that we use each other and put the best work forward. We are able to bring different ideas and lessons to the table. Another way this connects to my topic is the whole idea of children coming first, I always think of the children first. You have to actually put some thought into what your doing before you present it to children. My teammates and I plan on putting lots of thought into our project and making sure its the best!
Monday, September 22, 2014
Reflection #1
1. Something to keep in mind when starting the journey of project based learning is remembering to keep an open mind. The students play a big role in their own education and they are able to use some skills that they may not be used to. It is best to be a guide to the children, help them stay focused and grasp ideas from themselves. Project based learning can be very hands-on, the students need a chance to work together cooperatively. Something I would personally have to keep in mind is being patient with the technology.
2. One of the benefits of project based learning is giving the teacher a chance to step back and observe the children, watch what they are capable of. Teacher have more meaningful conversations with the children and it creates an atmosphere where the children are comfortable with each other. The teacher has more time to prepare for future lessons including meaningful projects, instead of grading homework.
3. Children get a chance to bounce off of each other and shine on each others strengths, students are able to learn from each other instead of everything coming from the teacher. The students create a different type of bond with their classmates because they spend more time together bonding.
4. Things that still need to be considered is making sure teachers are still stepping in where they need to redirect students. Making sure students stay engaged in important and making sure that they understand the concept of the project. For the teacher they still may need to do a little bit of lecture type teaching to get the basics understood.
5. Curtis started at a school that had no knowledge of project based learning. Curtis was the minority and wasn't getting any support with the idea of project based learning. He then switched schools where everyone was doing project based learning. He finally felt comfortable in working with his ideas.
2. One of the benefits of project based learning is giving the teacher a chance to step back and observe the children, watch what they are capable of. Teacher have more meaningful conversations with the children and it creates an atmosphere where the children are comfortable with each other. The teacher has more time to prepare for future lessons including meaningful projects, instead of grading homework.
3. Children get a chance to bounce off of each other and shine on each others strengths, students are able to learn from each other instead of everything coming from the teacher. The students create a different type of bond with their classmates because they spend more time together bonding.
4. Things that still need to be considered is making sure teachers are still stepping in where they need to redirect students. Making sure students stay engaged in important and making sure that they understand the concept of the project. For the teacher they still may need to do a little bit of lecture type teaching to get the basics understood.
5. Curtis started at a school that had no knowledge of project based learning. Curtis was the minority and wasn't getting any support with the idea of project based learning. He then switched schools where everyone was doing project based learning. He finally felt comfortable in working with his ideas.
Reflection 1
When starting the journey through Project-Based Learning there are many things that need to be considered. First the students need to pursue their own question to create their own meaning. Projects being completed while using Project-based learning are based on student choice, this usually means that there will be further active learning and teamwork.
There are many benefits when it comes to project-based learning. When of these would be further student involvement. Since the students usually pick their own topic, they will more than likely decide to put further effort into their work. The projects are also commonly large products, therefore the students will have to work very hard to complete them. Another benefit would be working in groups if the project is a group project. Being in a group will promote teamwork among the students. The projects are also very similar to projects that we tackle in other areas of life, such hosting a dinner party or planning a vacation. These projects may be able to be an experience in which the student learns new information by using to new tools to achieve our goals.
One issue that needs to be considered when it comes to the project-based learning approach would be making sure the project has the ability to make the students learn what needs to be taught in the classroom.
At New Technology High the teachers embrace technology use. An example of this would be that textbooks are scarce there, as they represent another way of learning. Students have computers near them at all times and most of their work is kept on servers. This allows students to access their work not only at school, but at home as well. It is also a great example of the New Technology Model because it was founded because of a concern about students not being ready for the workforce now that technology is so common in society. Technology is also everywhere at the New Technology High.
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