Reading Reflection #1 pgs. 2-24

1.     1. Something I need to keep in mind regarding PBL is it is teaching in a different way. The students   are learning by engaging in real-world projects. The teacher’s role is shifting from being a content expert to more of a facilitator and guide. I also need to keep in mind that the teachers are just as much of a learner as the students are. Teachers will need to learn how to teach effectively using this approach, how to measure students expectations, how to monitor progress and assessment, all sorts of things that one would expect when you implement a new teaching approach in the classroom.

2. Some overall benefits to the PBL approach include projects being the center of the curriculum, not just an add-on at the end of a unit; an engagement in real-world activities; the solving of problems that really matter to the people working on the project; technology being integrated into the classroom that can help the students discover, collaborate, and communicate more effectively; and designing projects with a cross-cultural approach.

3. Some benefits to students using the PBL approach include high learning outcomes, excitement within the classroom about the projects, good communication skills, good inquiry skills, knowing how to meet deadlines, developing a fuller understanding of how the world works, and an understanding that individuals can do something about changing their world.

4. Some issues that need to be considered in PBL approach is that is takes time before you can develop a really good approach. There takes a lot of front-load work for teachers to be able to implement this approach effectively.  The teachers in the PBL approach do a lot of preparation and planning in setting the stage for each project. It is also a learning curve when the teacher has to step back, and let the students learn on their own, while he/she become more of a guide. The investment of preparation and planning will pay off eventually, but it takes a lot of hard work up front to pull off a good PBL approach.

5. New Technology high is a school  founded in Nappa, CA in 1996.  It is designed from the ground up to meet the needs of 21^st-century learners. PBL drives the entire curriculum model. I think this type of school is really interesting because it is a small school where you really get to know your classmates and teachers. The book says that less time is spent on classroom management because of this and more time can be spent on instruction. I feel like this would be really valuable, because a lot of public schools are overcrowded today, and a lot of time and effort by teachers is just getting the kids to listen and understand what it is that they are to be doing.  I also like how the book says that at this school technology is everywhere, but it is not the focus of the learning.  It is just there to facilitate the learning and act as a tool.  I also like how the teachers at this school get to collaborate with one another, that the staff meetings are not just boring periods of time where you have to listen to a supervisor talk.  But rather, it is a time to bounce ideas off of one another and get a second opinion on what you are doing within your classroom.