To revolutionize the education system we need to encourage students' creativity which will enhance their learning experience. As students use their creativity it will cause them to be open-minded about the choices they will decide in the future. In Greenville County sometimes it is difficult to incorporate creativity in lessons because the district has specific expectations of what needs to be taught to students.
Personally the challenge for me is to reconsider the teaching methods of the past and to embrace the idea of project based learning in the future. It is hard to change. In the PBL classroom the students look at books, videos, pictures and other items to gather information. The students work together to decide how to proceed on the path of learning. The students present their learning to each other and to a wider audience. Behind the scene the teacher plans the project, gathers the resources and materials needed by students and facilitates the learning throughout the project. Students will still need direct instruction in different areas of learning. Sometimes that is the best way for students to learn and to teach a skill. My greatest challenge will be to learn how to gather the materials my students will need to use as resources.
You said it all with the statement, "It is hard to change." Even when I know how important it is for students to learn using PBL and how much impact it will have on their lives, I still have a hard time letting them take the reigns and be in the driver's seat of their own learning. I am getting there, but it hasn't been an easy process... that's for sure!
ReplyDeleteYou touched on something that is both a great challenge and a wonderful outcome of PBL: the work and role of the teacher as facilitator. I think what scares teachers even more than the work and prep time that goes into a PBL unit is the idea that “they don’t need me anymore.” But really, the opposite is true! The students need us more than ever in this type of setting, to guide them, provide resources, help process their learning, and as a source of encouragement and support. The relationships that we build with our students are incredible when we step back to give them some room to grow.
ReplyDeleteAlana,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that when curriculum is dictated without the opportunity to deviate based on the needs and interests of student, creativity can be a challenge. I am thankful for the creativity of teachers involved in project based learning because the planning process of the pbl is creative for teachers and the driving purpose of any pbl is to provide creative opportunities to engage students in their own learning. I am looking forward to seeing your students respond to the pbl opportunities and experiences you will provide this year.
Sincerely,
Dawn