Reading response #2

Discussion on the focus of learning communities
The focal point of learning communities is collaborative problem solving, that specifically focuses on making a buisness/learning better. It's designing new ways for many colleagues to work together.

Discussion on the benefits of learning communities
Many learning communities that operate using this teachnique for years decrease the teacher isolation. They no longer have to plan lessons alone. Increased commitment to the mission, teachers are more focused and engaged with setting plans with their colleagues. It increase shared responsibility among everyone. Lastly, a greater likelihood of fundamental systemic change.

Discussion on how learning communities affect teachers
Learning communities affect teachers because instead of having  meetings where they would normally implant new content. Learning communities help teachers with what they are already doing.  Teachers learn to give critical feedback, they also have time to watch and reflect on other classes, which is beneficial for their teaching skills.

Discussion on how learning communities affect students
Students get the opportunity to learn new things and more effectively. No time is wasted and instruction/lesson is well out together for them to gain as much knowledge as possible. Students reap the benefits by being well educated by their teachers.

Discussion on the components for shared vision in learning communities
When teachers work together they encourage each other to strive for more. " we are never comfortable with something being just ok"  they want to know what's all out in the world for their students to learn and they work together to bring that knowledge to them. All the teachers share that passion of teaching that keeps them all moving forward.

Discussion on how concepts in this chapter relate to  your group topic/project
 I think it relates to my group topic because having a learning community within your classroom is beneficial for us as teachers and for our students. It's essential that we all work together and give each other feed back in our group. Inspire and motivate one another as well. I think having all these tools will be a positive in the kitchen as well.

Reflection 2

Lauren Hudson 

Discussion on the focus of Learning Communities.

  This seems to be the entire learning environment of the schools. The grade level teachers,  subject teachers and all of the teachers as a whole. They are able to collaborate and share their ideas. This means making time for new ways of learning and sharing with your co workers. It provides more learning and ways to teach your students. 

2. Discussion on the benefits of Learning Communities.

Learning communities are such a huge benefit. Not only does it take some stress off of teaches but, it also lets them talk and get different teaching ideas. It gives teachers time to discuss and figure things out. Also, they can see what other teachers strategies are while teaching. Learning communities also benefit students because they are able to collaborate with other students and share ideas and thoughts. They have way more people to work with, share with, and brainstorm with. 

3.Discussion on how Learning Communities affect teachers.

This shows that team work is key! It seems to me that it is a huge benefit for teachers. New teachers can learn from old teachers. It encourages teachers to work with others, therefore they do not need to spend as much time doing things when they can do it together as a group. They can collaborate, learn, and get things done together instead of on their own. Questions can be answered and help can be done from teacher who are more experienced.

4.Discussion on how Learning Communities affect students.

  Learning communities affect students because it gives them the opportunity to discuss with other students. They have more access to other students minds, and they are able to share with one another. It also shows students team work and helps them work one on one or in groups with other kids. This is also great because they are able to see how other people are thinking, which allows them to think in different ways. So they are able to learn more, and share their opinions more. 

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

You have to be able to respect the ones you are learning and sharing with. You also have to be able to think and understand in a way that the others are doing so. By this, you are able to fulfill your understanding and be able to accomplish what needs to be accomplished. 

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

This relates to my topic/project because we have to work in a group. We are there for each other to listen, share and understand. We must be able to understand what a group member is saying, and they have to be able to try and understand ourselves. We also get to understand how our group member is thinking and it may be a thought totally different but it will leas to questions and ideas. Also,  we do not have to do the whole load of work on our own, we get to work together to get to the final end of the project. 

Reflection 2

Kyra Elston

01/28/14

Reflection 2

1. Discussion on the focus of Learning Communities.

Creating a professional learning community means making time for new ways of working with colleagues. It is a great alternative to dealing with change and provides a better education for both teachers, students, schools and the public community.

2. Discussion on the benefits of Learning Communities.

There are always multiple people to brainstorm with you. Many school restructuring efforts organize teachers and students into academies where time and opportunities for teacher collaboration are built into the regular school day. A teacher’s interest may find her community of practice online among educators far away. The learning is relevant and rigorous and everyone learns to learn together.

3. Discussion on how Learning Communities affect teachers.

New contexts for learning create new opportunities for teachers to work together and overcome the traditional isolation of the profession. The HP Technology for Teaching Grants encourages teachers to take on the collaborative work. This way, teachers don’t have to spend additional time on figuring out when they can all get together. Moreover, by incorporating digital-age projects into your curriculum, you are already planning for change. Whatever your impetus for change, you will find it an advantage to work with colleagues as you explore and implement project-based learning practices.

4. Discussion on how Learning Communities affect students.

Many school restructuring efforts organize teachers and students into academies where time and opportunities for teacher collaboration are built into the regular school day. They develop the skills and dispositions necessary in the “real world”, including communication, problem solving, project management, motivating and persistence. They also build bonds as they share triumphs and disappointments.

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

 Peer revisions are so extremely helpful in every aspect and shared visions allow teachers to continue to learn for forever! It is a great idea.

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

Classroom Kitchens and Catering would benefit hugely by collaborating with other people on nutrition and different meal plans for kids. An infinite amount of healthy, fun things could be found with

reading reflction chapter one

discussion on what you need to keep in mind as you start the journey through project-based learning


As you start a new journey you need to be able to keep up on new and emerging technology. you must have a willing positive attitude to learn new things/strategies. You must be able to reinvent your own projects, the projects must also allow your students to be able to show case their final products, Allow your students that opportunity to shine.


discussion on the overall benefits of the project-based learning approach


The overall benefits of this approach is that it engages students in learning through a more interesting way. this benefit the students and the teachers. While the teachers get to implement projects based on todays technology and real world experiences. This kind of learning is absolutely beneficial to students because its something that they will remember.


discussion on the benefits to students who participate in project based learning


students who participate in project based learning become critical thinkers. the project based learning approach also increases students motivation and helps them develop better problem solving skills.


discussion on what issues need to be considered in project based learning approach


many issues may arise when your trying to switch over from the traditional style of teaching. it will take time before you see results of the project based learning approach. you may not think your project is a good idea but the learning curve will feel steep your first time around. You will be confused but you will get the hang of it soon. you may need to get some tips and advice
from more experienced teachers and that's ok.


discussion on new technology high is all based on learning while using technology. although learning is the most important aspect. technology is heavily integrated as a tool for discovery, collaboration and communication.

Reading Reflection 1

1. Discussion on what you need to keep in mind as you start the journey through Project-Based Learning (PBL).
When using Project-Based Learning in schools, it is very important to keep in mind that this way of teaching is very new, and teachers may not be familiar with it. PBL is a great thing that is coming into classrooms. It allows kids to be drawn in and interested, and it also makes the school day less boring becasue of the interest that technology is bringing to them. 

2. Discussion on the overall benefits of the PBL approach.
The benefits of PBL is the fact that it is so interesting and so new that it gets the children involved. Some days school may get boring for the children, well, this is a way to spice the classroom up a bit and get everyone interested and involved. Another good thing about this is that students are able to think more, and use resources to learn about things that are all over the world. The students are also able to apply their own questions with things that they are lerning and then compare them with the questions that have or are going to be asked. I think that PBL is very beneficial in the classroom. 


3. Discussion on the benefits to students who participate in PBL.
The benefits to students who participate in PBL is the fact that students have full control of what they are able to learn, and how they learn. Another benefit is the fact that they have fun doing it and they are able to have hands on learning experiences with PBL. Last but not least, students are able to go beyond the classroom to learn and be able to experience many different things when it comes to learning.



4. Discussion on what issues need to be considered in PBL approach.
The internet is unlimited and kids are able to have access to many things. They are able to search and find things that may not be reliable and may be a neusance to the students. There are also so many sources to copyright and can lead students into getting in trouble. Also, it focuses more on internet analysis and what people have to say online rather than their own personal thoughts and research. Therefore, Project based learning could be an issue. I still think project based learning is a positive thing becasue it provides more information and allows students more access to research and find out more and more information about. 

5. Discussion on New Technology High as an example of New Technology Model.
With the growing information data base and information sharing with the internet high way, allows for growing of ideas into the technical model in how we share ideas and solutions. With the introduction of PBL it revolutionalizes the way we confer with our peers on solving problems with the society today. 

Reflection 1

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

The things that need to be kept in mind as we start the journey through PBL are: today's students are up to the challenge, every complicated project is worth the effort, new contexts encourage the project approach and students live and learn in the real world.

     2.   Discussion on the overall benefits of the PBL approach.
 It is important to realize the benefits that will be received by the students. It mentions in the reading that it deepens understanding of literary theme and helps students to think more critically about media. It is a learning process for both student and teacher that allow a more concrete understanding of the virtual world and the possibilities that can be experienced.

    3.    Discussion on the benefits to students who participate in PBL.
It involves calculated risks that will meet the needs of the digital-age learners.Learners pursue their own questions to create their own meaning and the boundaries as well as behaviors change. PBL prepares students to thrive in a world that's certain to continue changing.

    4.   Discussion on what issues need to be considered in PBL approach.
An issue that needs to be considered with PBL is the feeling of the steep learning curve the first time around. You may run into challenges, discover we need to conduct more research, or seek out expert advice.

    5.    Discussion on New Technology High as an example of New Technology Mode.
New Tech High was founded for the purpose of challenging the school district to find a better way of preparing students for the future by having them learn to think critically, collaborate as part of a team, and use technology as a tool for solving problems. Because of the size, less time gets spent on student management issues and more time is spent learning. I like that technology is not the main focus of the school even though it is a huge part. There are so many more important things that need to be looked at with children and their education.


Kyra Elston