Reading Reflection #1

           There are many things that should be kept in mind as one begins the journey through Project-Based Learning (PBL). I feel the most important thing for me to keep in mind is that students today are up to the challenge. Students, now, are growing up during the "technology era", and it shouldn't be surprising the amount of information they already know just from real-world experiences. Even though some schools and/or teachers may not be up to speed with such technology opportunities and the benefits of using these tools, students today will more than willingly rise up to the challenge. If students are willing to rise to the challenge, I only feel it equally important for teachers to meet half-way in their students’ efforts. Meaning PBL shouldn’t just be a part of the learning process because students are capable of doing it; it should be collaborative between teacher and student.             There are many important benefits of using the PBL approach. When a teacher uses PBL, the projects that arise form the centerpiece of the curriculum; the projects become the “real” unit, not just an add-on. PBL engages students in real-world activities and provides them with the opportunity to practice the strategies and disciplines of real-world scenarios. PBL enables students to work collaboratively to solve problems that are actually important or interesting to them; PBL can cater to the needs and interests of all students. And finally, the PBL approach integrates technology as a tool for discovery, collaboration, and communication. Using technology as a tool broadens students learning horizons and opens doors that otherwise wouldn’t be open without the tools.
            There are also many benefits to the student who participates in using PBL. While many, if not all, of the benefits are important, I feel that one of the most important benefits is the students’ sense of fulfillment, understanding, and success of real-world concepts. Through PBL, students will gain an understanding of other people, of how their world works, and how to better communicate with each other as a class/team and with others in their world. Through my use of PBL, I hope my students become curious and confident to explore because I know the experience will make their learning process that much more enjoyable and worth learning.
            As one begins to embark on the PBL journey, certain issues will arise that will need reconsideration. I think in order for PBL to be successful, one must have an open mind to change because this approach will test your teaching methods and your perspective on things. “Being able to adapt to change is essential for your students’ future success; it’s just as important for your own professional growth” (pg. 18). With that said, PBL will challenge your learning goals as a teacher. Be prepared to reconsider your expectations for what students will know and do. One of the more important reconsiderations I feel that PBL will challenge is the way a teacher talks and engages with the students. PBL will challenge teachers to “step off the stage” and interact with students differently, giving them the responsibility for their own learning. Other things to reconsider when using the PBL approach include: helping students become betters at managing their own progress, being ready to reconfigure the “hardware” of the classroom to facilitate teamwork and collaboration, reevaluating what you need to focus on and pay attention to, and being ready to reconsider which artifacts of learning are worth keeping.
            The New Technology High is a great example to learn about and understand the New Technology Model. The New Technology model is small by design and immerses students in real-world learning experiences with technology as the main tool. The model gives the teachers time and incentives to work together and share ideas. New Technology High, in comparison, promotes the preparation of students for their future by having them learn to think critically, collaborate as part of a team, and use technology as a tool to solve problems.

- Lauryn Hughes