Read and Reflect #8

It is very important to expand the learning experience beyond the classroom.  Digital tools and technology help tremendously to branch out of the classroom.  Connecting with experts can also be very helpful for students.  Teachers can play a part with setting up a student with an expert that is willing to give their insight in to the topic.  Blogs are also a great way for students to communicate with people outside of the classroom.

The Environmental and Spatial Technologies Initiative model includes a network of schools that have been demonstrating the benefits of using technology for a real purpose - to solve problems and make improvements in their communities.  The EAST model is built on four essential ideas which include:

1. Students driven learning: Students need to be responsible for their own learning.
2. Authentic project-based learning: Students should be engaged in solving real problems in their communities.
3. Technology as tools: Students need access to the relevant technologies that professionals use to solve real problems.
4. Collaboration: When students collaborate in teams to pursue authentic projects, they accomplish more than any one person can do in isolation.

Once teachers feel more comfortable with the PBL approach to learning, they can realize that students can lead their own projects - starting with generating a project idea they care about.  Students are interested in a lot of things and working on a project that has a topic of interest can really expand their thinking as they have the desire to learn more.

In our project of building a living museum, students are communicating with other students from Kalamazoo's sister city all the way in Japan.  They will also be communicating with experts that work in museums to get some ideas.  Students will also be in charge of how they want to set up the museum and mostly leading each other in that aspect.