Reflection #8

1. Digital tools make it easy for students to share their work and exchange ideas with diverse audiences, including family members and peers, and even the community and its leaders. If students know other people will be watching and reading their work it can become a powerful motivator for students to put forth their best work and take time to form ideas. Technology offers students numerous ways to branch outside of the classroom, it connects students to a world they are not used to. 2. EAST stands for Environmental and Spatial Technologies. Their purpose of using technology is to solve problems and make improvements within their own community. The EAST model is built on four essential ideas. Student- driven work, this means students are responsible for their own work. Authentic project- based learning, this means students should be engaged in real problems. Technology as tools, this means students need access to technology that the professionals use. Collaboration, this means students work together to find their solutions. As a teacher in a EAST classroom you have to be able to be very supportive with your students. They need to know that they can trust you to be their supporting them. 3. As teachers get further into their lessons they begin to realize that many students are good at leading their own projects. They become independent in knowing what to expect from their teacher. It is important for students to be interested in what they are doing. It is okay for students to find a reason to do a project and go with it. Sometimes it isn't the material we learn that teaches us best, sometimes its the process we had to go through to get to where we are. 4. This relates to our project because it is important to remember the key ideas in this chapter. Letting students find their interests can be something very valuable to themselves. They need to feel that independence and the confidence. Supporting students in whatever they do is something I strive for. I am every student to feel comfortable coming to me and knowing I value their education. I want them to know I am here for them, and only them. I want to be able to connect with every student that comes through my door, and leave an imprint in their brain about me. The related to our project because we are using technology in many ways that allows us to reach diverse audiences. We are having our students branch out and find resources that they can use in their future studies.