Sara's reading reflection #4

When reviewing projects, there could be many pitfalls and problems. There are four pitfalls and they are long on activity, short on learning outcomes. The second one is technology that is layered over traditional practice, trivial thematic units. The last pitfall in overly scripted with many steps. When the project is long on activity, short on learning outcomes it means that the project isn't worth doing because the students don't learn as much as they should. Projects should be the right size not falling short. The second pitfall is technology layered over traditional practice which means that projects should focus on reaching learning outcomes not just a quick slideshow. The third pitfall is trivial thematic units. When teachers do projects in class, it shouldn't just be for the fun of it. It should be effective learning and because thematic learning isn't project based learning. The last pitfall is projects that are overly scripted with many steps. Not every project needs so many steps to get the job done. The steps have to be clear and to the point to complete the project. There are many features of a good project and many don't know what it includes. These are some qualities of a good project. Projects are designed with a learning path, construct meaning, structured for inquiry and capturing student interest. Projects have to be realistic and involve other students from different schools so that they know how to branch out and work together. Many teachers and people think that projects are just to be done without meaning or research. Research is the biggest part of a project because students know what goes in and they learn at the same time. Project ideas come from everywhere. Books, magazines, movies, dictionaries, and music. The ideas come from what you are looking for and what you want in your project. There is no right or wrong answer from where you got your ideas from. AS long as it fits into your project, it works. When designing a project, steps should be followed to create a successful one. Your project is based off of something else so look at that first. Then make a list of objectives and subjects of the project. You have to come up with a 21st century skill that you want to incorporate then think about learning dispositions. Then think of these points will effect the students and what they will get out of it. Create a theme or what you want to challenge the students with. After that, get the students attention by thinking of something catchy to say or show. This whole concept of how to create a project can be good use to my project. I have to go back and re think the main points of what the project is going to be on. I have to use other sources and grab ideas from that to incorporate into my project. I want to make sure that my project can actually be used for students and engage their attention.