This weeks resources focused on how technology can help students with this type of learning environment. Michael Orey suggested allowing students to create meaning through the use of PowerPoint. Turning students loose to research information and then organize it in a manner that is presentable can be a very challenging task. I believe students need to be taught to learn in this manner. They need to be shown proper ways to research and organize information. This is where the challenge happens in classrooms. Teachers think they must spend so much time teaching content standards that they do not take the time to teach these other important skills. I realized the hard way that my students were ready for this type of learning. I allowed my students to research an area in the state of Indiana and make a brochure to persuade others to visit the area. The students were engaged in the learning and were teaching each other how to find information. Most all of the class was active in this process. I was surprised at their creativity with this learning activity. I have also allowed my students to make news broadcasts telling everyone about the upcoming weather and how to stay safe. This was after reading books in our reading workshop time about weather. I gave them a rubric of expectations and turned them loose for four days to prepare. The ideas they came up with were more creative and brilliant than I ever could have created. It also built on 21st century skills of collaboration which proves to difficult for fourth graders with no exact direction.
It is difficult for some of my students to not be given very specific directions, but I am learning there is great value in me taking a step back and having them create their own meanings. I am fortunate enough to be able to give my students these opportunities with technology. It concerns me though the students who are not fortunate to be able to learn through this manner.
References:
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer) (2010) Constructionist and Constructivist Learning Theories.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer) (2010) Constructionist and Constructivist Learning Theories.
I was defiantly the student who needed to have specific directions. what do you have for the students who need these directions? Is there a rubric that might give the students guidance for what you are looking for.
ReplyDeleteI do have rubrics that I use often especially if the students are working in a group collaboratively. As teachers we know those who need very specific and I try to make sure I give those students extra attention.
DeleteSo with your two ideas how did you go about teaching them to research beforehand? You stated they needed to be taught how to do these types of activites, so how were they taught?
ReplyDeleteThey sound like great ideas and I am glad you got great final results. What kind of technology do you have in your classroom that allowed you to do this?
Rubrics are great because it can help keep the students focused, yet it still gives them plenty of ideas to be creative.
Renee Scott
As for research, I showed them different sites on a specific subject. Then we took the time to evlauate the information we found and discussed how you cannot always believe all the information you find. We were looking for inforamtion about a location in Indiana.
DeleteWe have a mobile lab with 24 computers on it. We love to use the lab. It has been a struggle for the last 2 months though due to our school going virtual. We are having major technology issues right now. I do use rubrics often.
Dealing with research...
ReplyDeleteWhen dealing with teaching students how to research, have you ever found yourself teaching students the method in which you research? You know teaching the students the tricks of researching that you used to get through a big research project?
The thing I like most about your post is the fact that you had your students create a brochure with the information they collected. Did you allow them the freedom to design their own brochures or were there a lot of requirements? The reason I like the concept of a brochure is the fact that too many subjects teach a research paper in their own method and this becomes confusing to the students. However, a brochure forces students to focus on the importance of the research process. Once they master this skill they can then move on to a long research paper. Have you ever attempting an I-Search paper with your students?
I have never heard of I-Search. What is that? I had a rubric with specific criteria they had to find. As for teaching how to research, we looked for a different site in Indiana and used that as practice research. My students were fairly well "researchers". There were a few that required a great deal of assistance, but they were also very eager to help one another do it.
DeleteIt is very challenging when students require those specific instructions. I think as teachers we all need to teach problem solving skills, time-management skills, and collaborations skills. Part of me does not have the confidence in many of my students to let them loose, like you've done. I feel like I need to make sure I get them all of the content they need, and cannot leave it up to them to find/learn it on their own. But, if it is working for you, keep it up.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Daniel. I feel the same way sometimes. Then they seem to surprise me. I have to move out of my comfort zone at times when I know that it seems we are doing the same things all the time. This time it worked very well.
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