Reflection 7

There are several levels of discussions that take place in the classroom. The first level of discussion is teacher to teacher. It’s important that teachers collaborate together to create the best game plan. Teachers can communicate by using blogs, email, etc. It doesn’t have to be face-to-face conversations only. Student to student conversation are important for establishing teamwork. Having students working together helps them learn from one another. It’s important that students practice communicating with their peers because it helps prepare them for the next chapter in their life. The last discussion the book talks about is teacher to student. In a traditional classroom the lecture format dominates. A classroom discussion is a great way to get all of the students involved. It’s important for students to create opinions at a young age.

In a PBL classroom it’s important that as the teacher you stay aware of how the students are working together. When students are working in groups you can expect them moving at many different speeds, which is completely normal. Students should ask themselves “Are we staying on task?” Students need to track their progress and be able to estimate deadlines. Another question is “How are the team members getting along?” Sometimes some students decide to take on more responsibility than others. As a teacher you need to make sure that some students are taking advantage of the others. “Have you considered this research…? Have you thought about…?” these are great question to help extend students thinking. It’s important to push them to their individual limits. Lastly, it is important to ask questions that make students assess themselves.

It’s important that teachers choose technologies that are going to best meet the needs of the students. To find the best technology that fits is the project is key. If your technology software needs to be taught by a professional then make sure you do so. It’s the 21^st century: implementing technology is a must. It helps them reach their learning goals and prepares them for the future.

Teamwork is another 21^st century skill that can make or break a project. If you see conflict you need help students learn how to manage it. It is a real life skill that will help them later on. Working as a team is the most important aspect of working when you get older. You need to learn how to handle hostile situations. They are going to be uncomfortable no matter what you do. Just try to handle them in a professional matter as much as possible and see what happens.

This chapter relates to our chapter directly. The real world is about learning how to properly communicate with people. Being able to properly communicate with people helps you avoid conflicts, makes challenges easier, and solves problems.