Designing and Developing PBL

Now for the lessons learned through this project. I think I do not have a warm and fuzzy feeling about this project for several reasons. First and foremost, I had technical issues with GoogleDocs from the word Go. This was enough to send me over the edge. This was my first time using GoogleDocs, and I think it would be a cool discussion tool for the classroom if there are no issues that get in the way such as technical issues! Another problem is that I am not really keen on group work. Now, I have to say that my group was awesome! Our leader, Frances, was fearless! She did a fabulous job of organizing and offering assistance. She helped me tremendously. Shadra, Anet, and Serena also did a fabulous job with their parts of the project as well. I just hate feeling like my issues could cause havoc for someone else. I also learned that using a math standard was most likely more difficult for a PBL project. It seemed difficult to come up with lessons incorporating the technology aspects we learned this semester. It seems like using science and social studies would be easier. I certainly see how using PBL can be valuable in the classroom. It is a great organization tool to build resources to help teachers target areas that are weak across the grade level.

MS Moviemaker

I enjoyed the Moviemaker project. I chose to create the movie on pollution and conservation of our Earth which is a 3rd grade standard. I decided to make the movie on this subject because I am worried about our Earth and what it will be like for my children when they grow up. The Gulf Coast Oil Spill was a big eye opener for myself. I have always wanted to treat our Earth with respect, but something about that moment really and truly opened my eyes. I plan to share the video I produced on our morning news show during Earth Day week and for our Environmental Kid's Club. We invite students to be part of this club by doing things that help preserve our Earth.


To view my Moviemaker project click on the link: Responsibility

Moviemaker Project

I created a Moviemaker project on polluting and conserving our Earth. I chose this subject because  I am concerned about our Earth and the affects that we continue to have on it. We all need to do our part in wrapping our arms around our Earth and making every effort to treat her with respect.

The standard that I used is a 3^rd grade standard:
S3L2. Students will recognize the effects of pollution and humans on the environment.

a. Explain the effects of pollution (such as littering) to the habitats of plants and animals.

b. Identify ways to protect the environment.

        Conservation of resources

        Recycling of materials

This project is targeted for elementary school age students. The plan is to share this movie during our morning news broadcast as part of our Environmental Kid’s Club promotion. It is the desire of our teachers and administrators to convince our students to become part of this club by working for our environment. Hopefully, this movie will speak to the hearts of students and urge them to take part in protecting our environment. This movie can also be used in conjunction with Earth Day. 

I enjoyed using Movie Maker. It would have been better for the “emotional affect” if I were not restricted to put audio clips at the beginning, middle and end. I would have also preferred to use a different type of editing software such as Vegas Pro or Pinnacle to create the movie. I like Movie Maker because it is free, but it does not offer all the bells and whistles as other programs.

To view the movie, please click on the link: Responsibility
 I hope you enjoy the movie!

Problem Based Learning

I did not know anything about PBL prior to MEDT 7464. However, after completing the discussion on PBL and brainstorming lessons to integrate into several subjects, I feel PBL is a great tool for student engagement in the classroom. PBL allows for diversity to take place in learning. It creates an atmosphere where the students are in the driver's seat of their learning. I feel that PBL strategies will help students understand and remember the important aspects of what they are learning. I enjoyed reading my colleagues ideas to integrating the subjects to compile a PBL activity. There were some great ideas shared and I have forwarded those that were applicable to the teachers I work with.