What is Online Project Based Learning

Project Based Learning is an instructional approach built upon authentic learning activities that engage student interest and motivation. These activities are designed to answer a question or solve a problem and generally reflect the types of learning and work people do in the everyday world outside the classroom.
Project Based Learning is synonymous with learning in depth. A well-designed project provokes students to encounter (and struggle with) the central concepts and principles of a discipline.
Project Based Learning teaches students 21 st century skills as well as content. These skills include communication and presentation skills, organization and time management skills, research and inquiry skills, self-assessment and reflection skills, and group participation and leadership skills.
Project Based Learning is generally done by groups of students working together toward a common goal. Performance is assessed on an individual basis, and takes into account the quality of the product produced, the depth of content understanding demonstrated, and the contributions made to the ongoing process of project realization.
Finally, Project Based Learning allows students to reflect upon their own ideas and opinions, exercise voice and choice, and make decisions that affect project outcomes and the learning process in general.
http://pbl-online.org/About/whatisPBL.htm


http://www.thinkquest.org/en/projects/index.html


Well- crafted project:

• Engage and build on student interests and passions
• Provide a meaningful and authentic context for learning
• Immerse students in complex, real-world problems/investigations without a pre-determined solution
• Allow students to take the lead, making critical choices and decisions
• Connect students with community resources and experts
• Require students to develop and demonstrate essential skills and knowledge
• Draw on multiple disciplines to solve problems and deepen understanding
• Build in opportunities for reflection and self-assessment
• Result in useful products that demonstrate what students have learned
• Culminate in exhibitions or presentations to an authentic audience

Project Examples And Resources

• Math Webquests offers a definition and the benefits of project-based learning in math. This site also offers link to a variety of projects for elementary, middle school, and high school appropriate "web quests."
• Mrs. O's House offers a wide array of projects to try with your students. Topics range from exploring bird species and home ownership to Biomes and clean air in your community. 
• Ohio Resource Center offers a variety of projects integrating technology. Topics include Art & Communication, Construction Technologies, Hospitality and Tourism, Transportation, and others. Students can work in groups or alone. 
• Oracle Think Quest provides an online environment that seamlessly integrates technology and projects that are easy and fun to use. Here you can choose or design a project, assign groups in your class, and monitor the progress of all the projects in one place. 
• PBL-Online.org has a library of pre-developed projects.  You must sign-up as a member, but it is a free service that grants you access to a wealth of information and activities.  

Source: http://www.guidetoonlineschools.com/online-teaching/project-based-learning#5#ixzz1533770nF

Why Integrate into the Classroom?

Projects provide a flexible framework for engaging students in exploring curricular topics and developing important 21st century skills, such as communication, teamwork, and technology skills. In addition, students are motivated by the fun and creative format and the opportunity to make new friends around the world. For teachers, a school portal enables quick and easy management of student accounts and review of project work.

Methods of Incorporating Online Project Based Learning

Online project based learning can be an exciting techniqe to use for countless projects such as posters, digital presentations, scavenger hunts, and web quest.  The following is a list of applications that can help with these task.

 

Glogster EDU is a poster-creation website that allows teachers to assign poster projects to students. Students can create links to websites, videos or audio clips. They can post pictures, experiment with graphics and write text on the Glogster poster. Teachers can then view these projects and leave feedback. According to the Glogster EDU website, teachers are using this "resourceful platform to make traditional learning more dynamic, more interactive and more in tune with learners today." Read more:Online Project Based Learning 


 

Animoto is a simple video-presentation site that allows students (or teachers) to create 30-second videos for free. Users upload approximately 12 pictures, add a small amount of text, choose background music and the Animoto site does the rest. In a few minutes, the site creates a slideshow video. Video can also become a part of the Animoto slideshows. These short videos are free and make a great project for any subject area
 Online Project Based Learning 

Web Quest- A web quest is a assignment which ask students to use the World Wide Web to learn about and/or synthesize their knowledge a specific topic. There are several different way to present a web quest. The assignment can be given on paper, certainly the simplest and most portable option. A web quest assignment can also be given on the web itself by sending students to a web page which serves as the “home base” for the student’s information search. You can also present a web quest using some other multi-media software such as Hyperstudio or PowerPoint.
Web Quest)

Internet scavenger hunts are a way for students to practice problem solving, improve their reading and comprehension skills, ang learn how to search the internet.   Scavenger Hunt

Online Project Based Learning

During the recent moths I have learned several different learning techniques such as project based learning.  I have been really impressed by some of the projects schools have implemented through the means of project based learning..  I now would like to take it a step forward by learning how to implement an online project base learning activity.  I would like to know what types of actives I could use in my own classroom.

What I Learned About Technology 2

As a student, I grew up in the dark ages.  Although my family was the first to have a personal computer in the home, we did not use it for much.  I mostly played computer games on it.  These games were not like the computer games now, think of frogger and pacman when they first came out.  I had not even heard of the Internet. Technology is so advanced and is only getting better.  We now have technology at our fingertip, through the means of Ipads, Iphones, laptops, and desktops.  It is our jobs a teachers to be as technological savvy as our students and more. By taking this course I learned that there are countless ways to incorporate technology into the classroom.  We as teachers do not have to use technology just for presentational means.   We can instead have our students use these tool to help teach their peers.  It  allows them conduct, and present meaningful information to better their education as well as be informed about technology at the same time. It allows them to work through their frustrations and solve problems.  I learned this lesson my self.  There have been times when I wanted to just give up.  I havee redone work because of mistakes when learning a new program or application, but the mistakes helped me to be a better thinker and problem solver.  Kid can truly learn from technology!

Refelection: KWL Charts

I know I will use this!  A KWL Chart is a great tool for teachers to use.  It allows a teacher to assess what their  students may or  may  not know before starting a lesson.    This allows the teacher to know where to begin.  It will allow the teacher to use their instruction time wisely and not instruct over things the students already know.  It also allows the students to have some  input and insight on what they are learning.  This will be a very helpful tool to use in class as a pre-assessment and post assessment.  It will allow students to see what they know, what they will be learning, and what they have learned.  I think using a KWL chart or some kind of pre-assessment before starting a new lesson  is a better method to use rather than just starting a lesson without knowing what the students know.  The redundancy can cause a student to lose interest from the beginning.

Reflection: Portaportal

When I was given the task of constructing a portal, I had no idea what it was.  I think portals are great way to share great resources that teachers find helpful to their instruction. 
As I began the assignment I began to think of different ways I could  use it in my classroom.  I would love to use portal as a resource for my students.  I would have my portal set up to guide them to links,  that would give them extra practice and a more in-depth explanation of the subject matter at hand.  I also would use this as a cooperative learning task.  This will help students learn how to work together to accomplish a task.  Athough this could be accomplished with traditional group work, working on a portal will allow students to use technological applications.  I would put the students into group and let them create their own resource portals, such as science fair activities, educational games, or research materials.  It would depend on their ages and grade level to what I would have them to do.   I



Digital Story: Getting Ready for School

I enjoyed making this project.  I used my 4 year old son as the focus of my story.  I see myself using the Picasa program to make memory DVDs for my classroom.

My story is about a young boy's morning routine as he prepares for school.  I think this would be a great tool for young school children headstart to 2nd grade to learn about routines and health and hygiene 

Click the link above the picture.

I hope you enjoy!!!!!

Classroom Webpage

I have had the pleasure of making a mock classroom webpage. I think I will keep the site going and make changes. I will use this site when I get my own classroom. Although, it was a tedious task I enjoyed it. I had made a webpage years ago for a computer course at Nashville State Community College using html. Needless to say using google sites was easier. I am so thankful for this application. If you would like to view my webpage please follow the link A Brighter FutureMy next task is a digital story. I will keep you all posted.

Waiting For Superman

I turned on the Oparh show a couple of weeks ago and as luck has it, it was a show about the education system in America. This was not your typical show. It really hit close to home. I realized how shut off people can be when it comes to education. I live in a rural town. I feel that the education system here is great. I have been fortunate enough to always get the proper help for my children if they needed it, but watching this show opened my eyes. The children in America are really lagging behind. The schools are failing. We have enormous drop out rates in some of our inner cites. Students are entering lotteries for scholarship to attend charter schools. It is a shame that a student must be well off in order to receive a quality education. We are moving back in time, to when students from prominent families were well educated. If this is where we are headed why did we ever start the public school system.

After watching this clip click on OPARH 1 AND OPHAR 2 and educate yourself. Open Your Eyes!!!!!!!!

There is a new documentary in theaters called Waiting For Superman. I think all teachers and perspective teachers must see!!!!

Trying New Things

I tried Google Docs today. I think I will use this application more. I am a beginner right now, but I really like it. I will also try of the other Google applications. I thought Google was just a search engine. Shows you how much I use a computer and I have an Associates Degree of Applied Science in Computer Technology.

Did You Know: What I Learned About Technology

Check It Out!
I unknowingly saw this short video, in the mountains, while I was on vacation this summer.  As I watched it for the second time at home, I began to understand how technology has become  part of our everyday lives.  It is forever changing and we must adapt and change with it.

Getting Started

This is a whole new world to me.  I don't even have a face book page.  My husband and 11 year old daughter both have face book pages.  I think I will have a lot of fun with this.
Let me introduce myself.  I am 34 with a husband named Michael and 5 children Destiny, Gia, Ryan, Tyler-Jo,and Isabella(Izzie)..  Izze the youngest is not present in this picture.  She is only 2 months old.  This picture was taken a  year and a half ago.
I am an Interdisciplinary Studies k-6 major.  I am also attempting  a minor is science.   After I graduate and have at least the first full year of teaching behind me, I will get my degree to teach science.  It is my favorite subject.