Project Based Learning

Project-based learning requires that students work cooperatively on a real world issue using questioning and problem solving in order to decide an appropriate plan of action in a presentable way. Creating a website that presents their argument or solutions is a great focus point. Having students become more responsible for their learning while working as a team, deliberating and compromising with contingencies is the skill project-based learning enhances.

Using the tools of the Knowledge Age such as the Internet may be difficult for students to navigate without guidance from the teacher. Students will first be given a project to focus their inquiry learning. They must investigate a problem that warrants explanation and then decide a solution. Students should be free to express their own opinions while being open to others. They have to truly scrutinize, developing a tight grasp on the details surrounding their problem.

Blogging at the Mountain Center

Recently we have been experimenting in our social studies classes up here in the Mountain Center by starting our own blogs. Technology is a common interest of all our students and most have a laptop and Internet access. I decided to merge this infatuation with some kind of writing activities and what better way than blogs? Bloggin for students is a great way to do free writing about various issues while enhancing their technological skills and sharing their thoughts with each other. As a teacher I am usually the only one to read a student's work and I want students to start reading each other's thoughts on different topics in history.

Putting their thoughts online is a great way to motivate students because they know many people will be reading their writing. There is a tendency to be more cohesive on the part of the writer. The blog is also a running example of students' work and reveals their progression in the course and topics they have covered. They can use it as a point to save information, study their prior thoughts, and remember their past academic endeavors. Being technologically savvy is the wave of the future. Working online will hopefully enhance their skills and bring future rewards, interests, and opportunities to discover.

Welcome to Blogosphere

Today we started developing blogs in our class and students seemed exited about them. It's nice to implement technology into the classroom. With our new blogging we don't have to worry about printing or bringing in work to class. We can write and save our thoughts for the future to look at when we forget our past learning. Blogs are a great way to share information also. I am planning to attach all your blogs to mine so we can read each other's thoughts. Too many times I receive writing that is great and your peers don't get a chance to see it for themselves. Let's collaborate online and step into the future! Try to find the members of your class and follow all their blogs so you can examine each's own thoughts on questions about social studies.