I highlighted some items on the Innovation Class blueprint that I try to keep in mind:
project-based, passion-based
personal interest
individually or in a group of up to three
outside expert
blog/vlog their results weekly
present their projects
We all know that it is much easier for us to "buy into" something that peaks our personal interest. None of us want to work on something that we don't enjoy just as our students won't want to create, collaborate or learn about something that doesn't interest them.
Depending on the age group, blogs/vlogs may not work. But a weekly check in would be a great addition to keep everyone on track and moving forward. Touch base often to keep distracted or idea-challenged students moving ahead on their project.
I try to focus on the presentation step with any project my class works on. I can't remember what book I read it in, but even sending pictures to a nursing home is a form of presentation. Let your students know that others will see, enjoy, appreciate their work - they will have more ownership and hopefully work harder to create something they are proud of - a better end product.
Has anyone had any success with finding appropriate TED talks or with contacting experts on a topic via Skype, Google Hangouts, etc? There are so many people available at the click of a button or a sent e-mail...
With teaching math...in the past I have had community members come in and talk about how their job relates to mathematics and how they use that in their every day life. I have had a tool and die worker come in and talk because he uses trig and geometry every day. I have had an engineer come in...Most agree that the lessons they learned in high school are the backing for what the do now. Computers may do a lot of the work now,but knowing how it works and why it does is the math behind problems solving when something goes wrong. Geometry may not be used daily but the problem solving skills utilized are used in life. That being said I have not used skype of google hang outs yet in my classroom. Ted talks I have used a few times to show how math is involved in the real world.
ReplyDeleteIn reading this chapter, it appears that the idea of the Innovation Hour is more suited for older students. Blogging, even researching would be a challenge for first graders. The thought seems to be to come up with something that needs improved, fixed or something new. The research involved would be pretty detailed so how does this work with lower elementary grades? I do like the idea of having people from the community come in to share about their work and how their education plays into it. If the community is more involved in the education process, they will take more ownership in it.
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ReplyDeleteI liked this chapter in that it helped with the chaos that I spoke of earlier. In my textiles class students have to share with me each day what they accomplished/and or learned that day (skill) On skill days when students are only working on their projects it is a way for me to keep track of where they are and determine if some kind of attention is needed on the next project day.
I have students who have special interests in the textile arts and we work to let them explore those. One student excelled this last semester in designing the witch costume and executing the completion of the costume with alterations and interaction with the performer. Another picked specific fabric and is still working on placing the feature parts of the fabric on the pattern he chose. He is looking at options in design.
For some students this is strictly project learning while a few see a passion to further explore. Sometimes it is hard to give that freedom because I want them to know specific skills before they learn how to break them.
I really liked this chapter as it gave some directions that could be accomplished and a way of setting parameters. Blogging, community contacts, written plan exc..
I am trying a Genius Hour with one class of Jr/Sr level students. We are in the beginning stages. This has helped to settle them as well as keep some kind of organization with them. It also helped me to decide on a way of grading as well as students knowing some basic expectations.
I have been teaching long enough to see the pendulum swing again. In years past, we teamed up with a local business and had math challenges. The business did the problem during lunch and the students tried to trick them. It was a great relationship which ended with a field trip. The employees could really stress which skills in school helped them in work. When students comment on other students' work it has such an impact. The program Seesaw allows parents to comment also. I love the idea of celebrating and sharing of projects. Parents get more involved and supportive when you can share their projects.
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