Reading Reflection # 4

Caryn Hay

2/15/12

EDT 3470

Reading Reflection # 4

In this chapter I learned a lot of helpful tips and ideas for how to select and design projects. The chapter begins by discussing the pitfalls when designing a project. Pitfalls are what to stay away from when designing a project. They suggest staying away from the cool and interesting aspects of a project, and focusing more on the overall quality of what the student will learn once the project is completed. Some examples of pitfalls they mention are staying away from long activities that reduce the learning outcomes of the student. Another pitfall is staying away from students researching topics on the Internet and presenting that information in a slideshow, the chapter considers this to be a dressed-up version of a research project. Another pitfall is trivial thematic units, which means to structure the project so the theme is not just reoccurring in everything, but that the theme is leading them to learn about something differently. The last of the pitfalls they mention is staying away from overly scripted projects, give students some room to make critical decisions and not just follow a recipe.

The chapter offers many examples of features that go into making great projects. A few of those features are, loosely designed projects with the possibility of different learning paths, realistic and therefore cross multiple disciplines, and to have students learn by doing. Project ideas can come from pretty much anywhere such as, news stories, contemporary issues, students questions or interests, and so much more. Lastly, in the chapter they discuss the steps to follow when designing a project, which we are following in class with our own projects. Following these steps allows us to work with one another and create great projects that we can possibly use one day in our classrooms.