Challenge-Based Learning Reflection

             Challenged-Based Learning is a relatively new term to me, and really to education.  In careers today, employers are asking more and more of their employees.  They expect them to be creative, be technologically savvy, and take the initiative.  Employers want their employees to figure out a problem on their own.  To meet this ever-increasing demand for creative and self-driven citizens, schools are changing the way they educate children.  As future teachers, one of the ways we need to be preparing our students is by using Challenged-Based Learning. 

            Challenged-Based Learning (CBL) is when teachers present a challenge and ask their students to come up with a solution.  Teachers may give kids a broad topic or situation but let them do the rest.  The students do their own research, choose how they will present their information, and cooperatively work together to reach their goal.  CBL encourages leadership, initiative, creativity, and stepping outside of your comfort zone.  In CBL, the teacher’s responsibility is to facilitate.  She is there to provide students with resources and encouragement, but that is all.   

            Recently my technology teacher presented our class with a CBL project.  Our teacher said that we could choose any topic that we wanted.  Our challenge was that we had to present our information in a Prezi presentation.  As a group, we had to choose our topic, find information, find pictures and/or video, and figure out how to use Prezi.  Figuring out how to use Prezi was the biggest challenge.  Our teacher gave us hints on where to find tutorials and instructions, but she would not answer specific questions. 

            I think CBL projects can encourage creativity and put the power of learning back in student’s hands.  It not only forces students to really learn the material, but also prepares them for their future careers.  Everyone has to learn to cooperate affectively.            

Podcast Reflection #12: Classroom Dos and Don'ts

            For my final podcast reflection I choose to listen to Tony Vincent’s Learning in Hand.  I listened to podcast #20: Classroom Dos and Don’ts.  This podcast talked about all of the dos and don’ts when it comes to using iPods in the classroom.  There were many that Tony mentioned, but I am just going to highlight a few of the ones that I found extra important. 

            The first Do that Tony mentioned is to sync iPods to one computer.  Teachers should add everything that they want to sync to their iPods to one computer.  If you start syncing iPods to more than one computer you will start to get messages that request you to delete all material form the iPod.  Also when it comes to syncing the iPods, Tony says to make a playlist on the syncing computer.  This way you only sync the apps, audio, and video that you want to transfer to the iPods.  Tony says that it is also a good idea to delete information on the syncing computer that you aren’t currently using.  Teachers can drag and drop that information into another folder on their computer until they need it again.  This way iPods will not get bogged down with unneeded information. 

Another great tip is to name all iPods.  Teachers can engrave a number on the back, use a sticky label, or used color-coded cases so students can recognize their iPod easily.  Tony says that classrooms should purchase a charger cart, case, or tray to charge and store iPods when not in use.  This is of course if you have the money.  If not, purchase power USB hubs, and some other container to lockup iPods so they do not get stolen.  

Three final tips that Toney suggests for using iPods in the classroom are: have procedures for handing out and picking up iPods; purchase inexpensive ear buds for each student; have consequences for misuse of iPods.  Teachers should come up with procedures that everyone is aware of so the class does not waste valuable learning time passing out or picking up iPods.  Teachers should also have consequences that are posted for misuse.  Tony suggests creating an iPod contract that is sent home with students at the beginning of the year.  This contract would be read and signed by parents and the child.

            Finally, Tony mentioned some Don’ts for using iPods in the classroom.  He said not to give students the iTunes account password.  If they have the password, they can download apps that may not be appropriate for school.  Then when the iPods are synced that app could be spread to all of the iPods.  A small problem could turn into a very big problem in no time at all.  Tony also said that teachers should not feel like they need to sync their iPods everyday.  IPods should only be synced when new information needs to be put on them.  This could be weekly or even monthly.  Tony warned to not just use free apps.  You tend to get what you pay for.  Although some free apps are very good, teachers can download really good apps for fewer than five dollars.  An app that is downloaded once can be synced to all iPods for free!  Finally, Tony reminded teachers to keep up with their professional development.  There is always something new to learn in the world of technology.    

           

                                                           

Podcast Reflection #11: Barbara Brueggemann, Head of school at the George Washington University Online High School

           This week I listened to podcast #150: Barbara Brueggemann, Head of school at the GWU Online High School on the Ed Tech Talk website.  This was a very interesting podcast because it was about something I have not heard very much about: an all online school.  Barbara has been an educator all her life.  She started in post-secondary education, then moved so secondary education to make a difference in the formative years of students.  Now she has started the experimental, fully online George Washington University Online High School. 

            This high school, like many others, is for 9-12 graders.  It currently has 16 9^th and 10^th graders enrolled.  They wanted to start out small to get all of the kinks worked out.  This online high school has all of the good things from a traditional high school, but without the time and size conflicts.  Barbara discussed the Journey Symposium, one of the high school’s unique classes.  Every year students enroll in one seminar type class that helps prepare them for college.  In 9^th grade, students focus on the exploration of self.  They answer questions like: what am I good at? What do I want to do? How will I reach my goals?  Then in 10^th grade they focus on self and team.  Students learn through service.  In 11^th grade, student focus on stewardship.  They begin looking at their future and college.  Finally in 12^th grade, students focus on legacy.  They work with George Washington University professors on a project, and decide what they will leave behind when they are gone. 

            The class structure in this all-online high school includes some self-pace and some synchronized classes. There is a lot of interaction between peers and teachers using skype, e-mail, conference calling, and elluninate.  In this high school, Barbara said that students can’t disappear in class.  Teachers can monitor their work and see how much time they spend on assignments.    

            I believe this school is on the cutting edge of what we will see in the future.  With kids of this generation obsessed with digital networking and learning, I think we will start to see more hybrid and all online classes develop.  I think we need more research, however, to know how to teach kids effectively online.  We also, like Barbara said in this podcast, have to be deliberate about engaging kids.