RR #6

   1)   Technology tools are a very effective way for students to reflect on their own strengths. These reflections are beneficial in the form self-evaluations. These can be done before or after a project, or both. These are beneficial for several reasons:

a.      Get students to think about their own capabilities

b.     Get students to direct their own learning

c.      Get students to articulate their metacognitive strategies

d.     Identify experiences that have helped them grow

e.     Blogs allows students to keep track of their endeavors

   2)   Ways to get students minds ready for a project

a.     KWL activities that tap into a students prior knowledge

b.     Get their attention with an attention getter before starting the project

c.      Invite them to discuss the topic with friends and family over a course of several days

   3)   The elements of teaching the fundamentals first

a.     Let the children know the starting point

                                               i.     The KWL project helps aid this

b.     As students brainstorm about the project, encourage them to question deeper

c.      Sharing the assessment rubric

                                               i.     This is important because it lets the children now what is expected of them throughout the project

   4)   There are several important steps when preparing the students for technology use in a project.

a.     The technology playground

                                               i.     Allow the students to learn by doing when it comes to a new technology

                                              ii.     This also allows for other students to help each other explore a new technology

b.     Tap student expertise

                                               i.     Let the students that are familiar with technology teach the others

c.      Introduce project management tools

                                               i.     Encourages students to use a project log or journal

                                              ii.     This allows students a place to reflect and helps them keep site on their goals for the project

d.     Demonstrate

                                               i.     Demonstrate the use of a new tech tool for the kids

                                              ii.     This can be done by the teacher themselves or even a media specialist

   5)   Ways to promote deep learning and inquiry

a.     You can promote deep learning for the students by asking them several questions when starting and inquiry project:

                                               i.     “Which one” questions help collect information and make decisions in their inquiry

                                              ii.     “How questions” as the students to think critically when asked a question. This involves them to understand problems, weigh options from different views, and propose a solution to a problem.

                                            iii.     “What if” questions are hypothetical questions that further a students thinking and challenge them

                                            iv.     “Should” questions ask students to make decisions on moral or practical questions, and having evidence to back up their claims

                                              v.     “Why” questions ask a student to understand cause and effect in a situation. If this happens, then what will happen in return?

   6)   This chapter relates directly to our groups project within the class. When starting our cookbook project, the technology playground could be helpful because students may have never used the Internet to research a culture before. This would allow them to be exposed to a new technology. Another thing that would be helpful within my project would be the ways to promote deeper inquiry. These questions would help keep the inquiry process on track.