There are many ways to build connections and branch out beyond the classroom. Connecting with experts virtually through forums, video chats or students could meet face to face with them.The first step for teachers is to create a list of experts with skill pertaining to the project, willing to talk to students. Before students talk with the expert questions should be developed to get the most out of the experience.
Another way to branch out beyond the classroom is to expand learning circles. This could be exchanging videos, blog entries or other forms of communications to other students and communities across distances. This give students the opportunity to collaborate with students across the country or even across the world.
EAST initiative model stands for Environmental and Spatial Technologies and is a network of schools that show the benefits of using technology to solve problems and improve their community. Matt Dozier said "technology is the hook we use to get kids into significan projects, and to get communities into significantly wanting to support those projects." The EAST model has four main ideas that were all a part of the original design. Number one is student drivin learning. Students should be responsible for their own learning. Number two is authentic project-based learning. Students should be actively trying to solve problems in their community. Number three is technology as tools. Students should have access to technologies that professionals do to solve problems. Number four is collaboration. Students need to be collaborating with the team to accomplish more than they could individually.
Teachers sometimes find that students are able to lead their own projects. This starts with students creating a idea for a project they care about. This allows students to be responsible for their learning.
This chapter relates to our project because we need to know how to build connections outside of the classroom. When students are able to talk to experts it gives them an experience they couldnt learn from a classroom. Students should also lead their project and take responsibility for it.
Great analysis of the EAST Initiative Movement! It really does show the benefits of using technology to not only solve problems, but more importantly create authentic connections while helping the community. Because students are so technologically driven, we can motivate students to do the best work possible while utilizing technology. The network of schools connect students with each other, and really give students a one on one view that other students in different parts of the community or the world are learning the same things as them.
ReplyDeleteI like the way you described the EASE initiative movement. It is straight and to the point. It helps readers to understand that the movement is trying to have students take over their learning instead of depending fully on their teacher to spoon feed them answers to everything they learn about.
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