Problem-Based Learning

Throughout my blogging experience, I have written about educational concepts that interest me. When thinking of what to write about this week, I looked over my previous blogs. I noticed a pattern. What I noticed is that I like to write about learning strategies that get children engaged in their learning. This was a main concept in my blog about a growth mindset, inquiry based learning (both written last semester) and my most recent blog about using iPads in the classroom. Keeping with this pattern, this week I am going to write about problem-based learning.

Problem-based learning teaches students by engaging them in real-world research, questions and solutions (L, Lane, personal communication, March 16, 2016). Similar to inquiry based learning, problem-based learning starts with a question. Problem-based learning allows children to interact with one-another, with their teacher, members of the community and people around the world. The goal of problem-based learning is to help students understand their learning needs, collect and analyze information, and collaborate with peers (L, Lane, personal communication, March 16, 2016).

I think problem-based learning is a great way for students to feel that their learning is meaningful. Through these projects, students will learn knowledge that can be directly applied to their everyday lives in the present as well as in the future. One of the goals of 21st century learning is for teachers to set their students up for success in the 21st century world. When they get older, students will be able recall this information because it was interesting, meaningful and fun for them and apply it to the real world.

I think problem-based learning is also a great way to keep teachers engaged in their teaching! Teaching the same lesson plans over and over becomes boring and tiresome. I found throughout my education experience that I could tell right away if a teacher was passionate or not about learning and teaching students and this greatly affected my performance in that class. Teachers who used problem-based learning in their classrooms have an endless amount of possible outcomes. Each student brings uniqueness to the classroom and this would ensure that each year new problems, questions, solutions and projects would be generated. Problem-based learning not only ensures that students are learning, but it challenges teachers as well to think critically and explore things outside of the classroom.

Problem- Based Learning in the Classroom - A Practical Example 

In this video of a grade 2 classroom, these students are learning about climate change. The problem they must solve is how to protect plants and animals from the effects of climate change. Through their explanations it is clear to see that these students are knowledgable about weather, animal food chains, humans' impact on the Earth and their relationships with one another. These children are only 8 years old but through problem-based learning they are now knowledgeable about real world problems as well as solutions. As they grow up, they have the knowledge to make conscious efforts to reduce climate change and continue to advocate against it.

In this example, the students engaged in many different 21st century literacies. The first one I notices was critical literacy. The students used critical literacy by analyzing what was causing climate change. One student mentioned factories produced too much smoke and this affects our air quality. Students also interact with environmental literacy as they are looking at human impacts on the Earth and what this means for plants and animals. One student mentioned that the Earth is too hot for a certain type of tree to grow and this cuts off a food source for squirrels, which then cuts off a food source for hawks. These students are also using global literacy to explain how climate change affects different areas of the world. Some students showed tropical locations being destroyed by hurricanes while others looked at how green house gasses are melting the snow in the arctic. This shows that students understand that different parts of the world have different climates and global warming affects these regions differently.

Overall, problem-based learning is another way that students and teachers can engage in meaningful learning. Problem-based learning teaches students a variety of skills, can fit into the curriculum and can encompass many 21st century literacies. I will definitely incorporate problem-based learning into my future classroom as I am very inspired by the engagement and passion it produces in both students and teachers.

References:
Image retrieved from: https://www.google.ca/search?q=problem+based+learning&espv=2&biw=1105&bih=641&site=webhp&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj46qDmtdfLAhUjsoMKHeUEAfEQ_AUIBigB#imgrc=ibQ1ivtxxtmAlM%3A

iPads in the Classroom: BYOD (Bring Your Own Device)

You can't deny that the rise in technology has had a major influence on today's education system. A teacher can no longer stand at the front of the class and lecture their students as they copy notes. We know that this causes students to become disengaged from their learning and become bored at school. There are many ways to create stimulating, fun and meaningful learning. For example, inclusive classrooms or student centred learning. Another way to engage students back into their learning is by incorporating technology into the classroom. Children today have more access to information than ever before. With the touch of a finger, children are exposed to games, apps, websites, videos, pictures and more. As educators, teaching children in this generation, we need to take advantage of children's knowledge of technology and use it to enhance their learning.

iPads and technology must be incorporated into the present education system. Many students have iPads at home and can bring them into the classroom, thus the idea BYOD. However, this is not always possible but school boards can step in and provide iPads for students to use at school. We can no longer expect textbooks and note taking to be useful or stimulating for our students. Although technology, apps and video games may be new concepts for some teachers, it is our job as educators to find what interests our students and use it to engage them in their learning.

I found a very compelling video on YouTube of a grade 1 teacher, Eric Crouch. This video shows his students using iPads in the classrooms for various types of lessons, for example, reading, writing and math. Eric explains his classroom routine using the iPads and how beneficial they have been for his students' learning as well as their engagement. One thing that he said really stuck out to me: "The kids get so involved in the classroom, they don't really realize that they're learning."

In order to teach children in the 21st century, we must not ignore the influence that technology has on our students. 21st century learners need 21st century resources. Using technology, and more specifically iPads, in the classroom has a range of benefits for students' learning. For one, it allows for teachers to use individualized instruction for their students. In an app, there may be various levels of difficulty that can be adjusted to the students' abilities Students won't feel singled out if all their peers are working on their own version of a task or an assignment on their own device. iPads allow children to access information from all over the world. Teachers can use Skype or Google Hangouts to speak with other teachers and their classrooms around the world. Using apps allows students create things that are unique and it allows them to showcase what they know, just like a test or an essay.

In their write up about technology in education, Drake, Reid and Kolohon (2013) refer to Bloom's Digital Taxonomy. This is inspired by Bloom's Taxonomy of Educational Objectives, but uses digital resources to represent each level in the hierarchy. This specific example shows resources that are appropriate for children in younger grades. This visual is a great way to help teachers find new digital resources for their students as they can specifically see what point of the hierarchy each resource would fit. 

These forms of technology were not something I had when I was in elementary school. I remember sitting in a desk and copying notes from an overhead slide. There were limited opportunities for us to explore the world around us and this rarely involved computers or technology. Through my teacher education I have learned to value the importance of making learning fun. We are very fortunate to live in a country where we have access to these forms of technology and we need to take advantage of it. As times change we need to continue to develop new ways of learning, incorporate new resources into our lessons and continue to use learning strategies that enhance our students' educational experiences.

Eric Crouch said that technology is limitless and I agree with this statement. With technology there is no limit on creativity, there is no limit on the knowledge you can obtain and there definitely is no limit on the amount of fun you can have.

References
Drake, S.M., Reid, J.L. & Kolohon, W. (2014). Interweaving curriculum and classroom assessment: Engaging the 21st century learner. Canada: Oxford University Press.

Image retrieved from: https://www.google.ca/search?q=technology+in+the+classroom&espv=2&biw=1103&bih=641&site=webhp&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwjPirvg3JDLAhWMsIMKHfzNATEQ_AUIBigB#tbm=isch&q=blooms+digital+taxonomy&imgrc=iXD9cnK2maieHM%3A

An Introduction to Me

Blog writing is still new to me ...I have had a bit of practice from a course I took last semester, but I am still getting the hang of things. I am a 21 year old future teacher, I hope to teach grade 2, but anything will do! This blog will be a continuation from an assignment in EDUC 4P17 to my current course EDUC 4P27. 

I first recognized my love for teaching from my part time job of teaching swimming lessons. Through my job I was quickly able to adapt my teaching style to different types of children, their abilities and their personalities. Some big things I have learned from my 7 years of teaching swimming lessons are that all children are different and need to be taught differently, a teacher's job is not only to teach a task or content but to make their students comfortable and safe and finally, that teachers must make learning fun for their students! 

From blogging I hope to be able to reflect on my learning, experiences and beliefs. I think blogs are a great way for people to share ideas and be able to learn from one another. Blog writing is also a great exercise for teachers to reflect on themselves in order to grow and change as a teacher. 

The picture I have included I thought was a unique way to sum up how I feel about teaching. I believe it is important for teachers to be knowledgable about content, current events and their students but this is a lot to keep track of! I know I still have a lot to learn but I continue to enjoy educating myself about children and their education. I hope to continue to use this blog to share my ideas and opinions with the world. 

References:

Image retrieved from: https://www.pinterest.com/explore/inspirational-parenting-quotes/