Reading reflection 8

Discussion of some ways to build connections and branch out beyond the classroom.

Using technology of course is a way to branch outside of the classroom. Allowing students to create blogs, and videos, and digital projects and share them with the world. No of course it doesn't take you outside, outside the classroom environment but it takes your learning outside the classroom. Having students create dialogues and share them with other students from around the world engages the students a lot more, it motivates them to do create something good and be proud of it. You can build connections with experts, when your students are doing research and they have a lot of questions to ask. This type of connection will facilitate students experience by helping them prepare to work with experts.

Discussion of the East initiative model.
The East initiative model - Environmental and Spatial Technologies.
Which is what students learn to master, certain tools and applications in context while solving community problems. These type of projects involve the students dealing with a significant project, and getting communities into helping support them with those projects. The model is built on four main ideas; student driven learning, authentic project based learning, technology as tools, and collaboration. All teachers must learn to become a facilitator when working with the students in the East initiative model.

Discussion on some reasons to let students lead their projects.
Students take charge when they are allowed to lead how they will structure a project. Students become more engaged and motivated when they can create or do some things that they are proud of. Students should lead projects and have their teacher only as support, and guidance. I think that many students get bored sometimes with having to much instruction and rules that they have to follow so this allows them to think for themselves on what they want to do. When we think about the project having a lifespan, it does die right after the project is complete, well usually. If students are allowed to think of something that enjoyed doing while learning they will be more apt to discover/learn that way again.

Discussion on how concepts in this chapter relate to your topic/project.
I think branching outside the classroom relates to our project a lot. We allow our students time away from the actual classroom setting. They are taken to the computer and they also meet up with other classes to take surveys. This just takes learning out of the normal element and makes it a little more interesting for the students.