Reading Reflection #7

1. The levels of classroom discussion are teacher to teacher, student to student, and teacher to student. Teacher to teacher must be a constant conversation with a motive to improve the project and work to collaborate how the project can be most effective. Student to student discussion should be a way for students to work on their communication skills as well as to keep their team on track. Students benefit from this type of discussion because it allows for students to gain a deeper understanding and meaning to the project. Student to teacher discussion is less frequent in project based learning because there will be less time and need for teacher based lectures. Instead, teachers should be circulating the room more and developing their listening skills and imputing information when needed.
   
2. There are several types questions for “checking in” on students during a project. The first being procedural; making sure the deadlines and checkpoints are being met on time. Teamwork questions make sure that students are getting along and progressing appropriately on their projects. This can be done through a private online survey. Understanding based questions encourage students to push themselves to a higher understanding. Self-assessment questions can be addressed as a response in a project journal or blog so teachers can see where the students think they lie in the process of the project.
   
3. The benefits to students when optimizing the use of technology are that students gain new insights into how to communicate with a culturally diverse audience, it can help them stay organized, can expand their horizons by connecting to the broader community and experts in the community. Most importantly, the technology should assist them with their final learning goals.
   
4. The 21st-century skills that can make or break a project are troubleshooting and teamwork. Troubleshooting allows children to understand that real-world projects contain real world challenges. They need to be able to learn from their setbacks in order to get the project back on track, otherwise, that can break the project. Teamwork is another skill that is important in project based learning. Students must be able to learn how to manage their own conflicts, this is a real-life skill that they need. Being able to manage the team's conflict will allow for a successful project.
   
5. Concepts in this chapter relate to your topic/project because as a group, we are working in teams, and any conflict that arises we must learn to deal with. We also have to be able to help each other when we have issues with technology or any set backs with a project. If we did not have these skills, then our assignments would be greatly flawed. We use technology to optimize our experience, as well as the "students" that we plan lessons for." The types of higher-order questions necessary to inspire deeper thinking for the students are great things to keep in mind for our teaching futures.