Problem-Based Learning

Most of us know that we want to create as many real-world examples in class as is possible; however, this is definitely easier said than done. Sometimes we think we are creating a unit that will "make" the students step out of their comfort zone and create something new. Alas, we discover that this isn't often the case. This same situation happens to me more than I care to admit. This week I learned a process for developing problem-based learning, and that process (though hard to grasp at first) really opened my eyes to how I've done this before. Before I started the process, I wanted to develop something that I could use in my classroom as well. I teach a unit on disabilities to one grade while teaching the Holocaust to the other. The Holocaust unit already has a webquest that I created several years ago. Therefore, I wanted them to match. What I developed has a sibling having to help the entire family move to their dream location while helping a special needs brother settle in as well. All members of the family need to find jobs, go to school, etc. The kicker is that the brother doesn't want to move, and the family can live rent-free for one year which will help them pay off their house.

I'm also going to create a "Life After College" spreadsheet activity for my computer class. The students are all college graduates that need to find a job and a place to live while being able to pay their bills. They will create a budget for a year, and have to decide if they can cut it where they want to go. This idea was hatched by my husband's employees (some don't realize how much cost of living is).

Both activities will be implemented within the next month. I expect that some of my students will be surprised that all communities don't have areas designed for special needs people, and not all jobs pay enough for a person to live on their own. Any thoughts for me?

Bloom's Taxonomy-Oct 7-13, 2007

I have always been a huge fan of using Bloom's Taxonomy in my classroom. I believe that using the levels and the words help ensure that I'm reaching multiple levels with my students. I can also target a path with my students, so that they receive the help they need along the way to develop a better understanding of the content. I didn't realize until this week that Bloom's has been revised. Now I am anxious to recreate my questions at the new levels and try them with my classes. I'm curious as to the results that I receive from my students.

Thanks!

Professional Development

Hi all,

I just found this short video about professional development. It seems like most of our districts are moving in the right direction...

Download Video: Posted by sylviagenyes at TeacherTube.com.

Thanks!

The Framework: What Already Works

My school district is the most advanced in professional development as far as the concept of letting teachers work on what their need to. We are allowed to pick an area of a choice that we believe needs to be improved. The school will provide limited funds that can be used to cover substitute pay or materials. The funds are enough to cover about four days. The money can only be used with prior approval by the administration. Once approval has been provided, the teacher is responsible for any additional cost that wasn’t written into the plan.
We are behind in professional development because of the increasing costs and availability of some classes. We have to spend a lot of time looking for classes that are available to continue our education as only a select amount are posted in the employee break room.
I hope to be teaching online soon. I take steps towards this every day as I see what benefit this has for all students. I also see how interested students are in working with technology, and how they need to be taught to use technology appropriately. I see how students need to learn problem solving using technology because their future will require this sort of education.


Thanks!

MILE Guide Online Assessment

Upon completing the MILE Guide Online Assessment, my district is considered to be at the transitional stage in all three sections: Learning and Teaching, Leading and Managing, and Partnering.
One of the recommendations my district was given was to develop priorities for 21st Century Skills. One of the critical factors that are necessary here is to create a group of people that already do some of this and have some skills so that a program can be created for the district. A barrier to this is the time factor. Because I work in a smaller district, it is a struggle to find people willing to do this that already have some of the skills. In my district, some people are really involved while others do nothing. Those that would be needed to meet this recommendation are already maxed out on ideas and time; therefore, we are stretching our staff even thinner than usual. The biggest support that we could provide to our teachers would be to provide time in which teachers can work and an assignment that needs to be completed to determine practice. Other support that would be needed would be to have laptops available with wireless connections in all the classrooms. This would enable teachers to take that step forward with technology. Learners would need support that would require all teachers to become versed in technology. If the technology is not up-to-par, all other preparation would be wasted.
The second recommendation was to make sure that all technological advances and assessments are aligned in regard to the 21st Century Skills. The main critical factor here would be having the 21st Century Skills available to every teacher so that alignment could be checked. In my district, we would have to talk about what those skills mean for our classes and provide examples to every teacher to help out. We would also have to provide multiple training on every aspect of the available technology as some faculty members can’t even turn their computers on and off. This lack of knowledge is the biggest downfall my district has as it slows everyone down, and not just those that don’t want to participate. The biggest practice that would have to change would be the method of assessment. The majority of the tests that are given are paper-and-pencil which are not how business assess their employees. Inquiry-based learning in all classes would be a welcome change as students demonstrate their thinking process while finding their answer.

Thanks,
Laura