Blog Post #6

What do you learn from these conversations with Anthony Capps?

Project Based Learning: Experiences of a 3rd Grade Teacher Part 1

I learned about how to approach being a Project Based Learning (PBL). PBL is a means to show what students have achieved, and it is also a mean to get students to learn things. PBL get students excited about learning and what they create. The goal of a good project is one that has an authentic audience and keeps the students motivated to create good work. Content driven is also a good component of a good PBL project as well as projects that interests students. And also make sure students know the content that they are required to know. Reflection and revision of work is key in PBL too. Last but not least, teachers should be learners as well.



Project Based Learning: Experiences of a 3rd Grade Teacher Part 2


I learned in this video that everything will not always go well, so make sure you are prepared. Teachers should never limit their students, but more importantly create an opportunity for them to look beyond what they believe they can do. Listening to Anthony Capps, I understand that PBL involves a lot of planning and work in order for it to be successful for students to learn. Students enjoy doing projects that are meaningful. And only time students do not really enjoy doing the projects is if there are mishaps within collaborations. While students enjoy these projects, their parents are surprised by the outcome of seeing what their children have created.


iCurio


iCurio is an online tool. It allows students to safely search sites that have been filtered for educational purposes. iCurio allows teachers and students to store content and organize things online. iCurio has many features such as a timeline feature that allows students to search by date criteria (historical figure directory). It also saves work and allows students to continue where they stopped in case they had to stop working. iCurio is also great for students with disabilities or blind students because it has a feature that reads to them.


Discovery Education


Discovery Education is a nice source for teachers. It covers many different subjects. Discovery Education brings experts of certain topics into the classrooms through videos. Using Discovery Education, teachers can compare and contrast what students are reading to what they are seeing. Students are more listener watchers where they listen and watch more than they read and write. Discovery Education enhances these things.


The Anthony - Strange List of Tips for Teachers Part 1


1. Prepare to learn yourself (teachers have to consistently learn and model their behavior).
2. Teaching is hard work, but fun if you allow it to be, and very rewarding.
3. Be prepared for surprises (be flexible and respond to the unexpected).
4. Start with an end goal.
5. Make sure students are engaged and motivated (have content that they care about).
6. Reflect. Self-Evaluation. Share.


Don't Teach Tech- Use It


Teachers shouldn't teach technology, but they should introduce technology. They should focus on one technology at a time. They should use technology to get students excited about what they are doing. Teachers should use technology to also allow students to share what they are doing. Don't expect perfection, and let the students have time to reflect on their work so next time they will do it better. Teachers should also use the technology themselves so they can understand the questions students will ask. This helps with showing the students problem solving.


Additional Thoughts About Lessons


Teachers should remember a lesson has at least four layers. Think about a lesson in terms of how it fits within the year. Make sure all standards are covered. Stretch lessons out into units. Within that unit, devise weekly so that you can get things done daily. Daily lessons are things to keep students engaged, so that you teachers can see what the students have learned.

4 Components to making a successful lesson
1. Daily
2. Weekly
3. Unit
4. Year