Reading Reflection 2

1. Discussion on the focus of Learning Communities
I believe the focus of learning communities is to create a setting when students and teachers alike can asses each other's work for the purpose of improving it. There are many forms ranging from formal to informal and digital to personal. They focus on ensuring students learn, creating collaboration for school improvement, and focusing on results.

2. Discussion on the benefits of Learning Communities
Learning communities bring students and teachers together. Before, teachers worked alone and rarely worked with other teachers. Learning communities not only help teachers improve their curriculum but it also helps teachers learn to asses each others work without being critical. With teachers working together, the school is filled with a curriculum that can't fail.

3. Discussion on how Learning Communities affect teachers.
Learning Communities affect teachers mostly because they are new. They produce a decrease in teacher isolation, increased commitment, shared responsibility, more powerful learning, and a higher likelihood of fundamental, systematic change. They have a wider range of help available to them on the internet where all over the world teachers are committed to helping each other.

4. Discussion on how Learning Communities affect students
Learning Communities affect students by providing them with a richer enviornment for learning and they learn new patterns for thinking.

5. Discussion on the components for shared vision in Learning Communities
The components for shared vision in Learning Communities are decreased teacher isolation, increased commitment, shared responsibility, more powerful learning, and a high likelihood of fundamental systematic change

6. Discussion on how concepts in this chapter relate to your topic/project
This chapter relates to our project because we are both assessing each other and looking at previous work to influence how we proceed with our project. We will look into our own learning communities to help us develop a great project.

Reading Reflection #2 - Chapter Two: Creating a Professional Learning Community 

1. Discussion on the focus of Learning Communities.

Learning Communities focus on engaging in ongoing, collaborative problem solving focused on making the business better. Individuals and the team as a whole expand their views to create the projects that they desire

2. Discussion on the benefits of Learning Communities.

The individuals in the Learning Communities benefit from it by learning how to create new patterns of thinking, learn how to capitalize on the knowledge of the group, and they learn how to learn together. 

3. Discussion on how Learning Communities affect teachers.

Learning Communities affect teachers by having them find the time to observe and reflect on each other's classroom interactions and learn how to give each other constructive feedback. They also engage in new patterns of thinking and learn how to learn together as a community.

4. Discussion on how Learning Communities affect students.

Learning Communities affect students by helping them develop the skills and dispositions that are deemed necessary in the "real world" such as communication, problem solving, project management, motivation, and persistence. 

5. Discussion on the components for shared vision in Learning Communities.

• Decreased teacher isolation
• Increased commitment to the mission
• Shared responsibility 
• More powerful learning
• A higher likelihood of fundamental, systematic change

6. Discussion on how concepts in this chapter relate to your topic/project.

These concepts in this chapter thoroughly relates to my project because this is a shared commitment. As a group, my partner and I must be able to communicate with one another in order to successfully complete this project . 

Reading Reflection #1

1. Discussion on what you need to keep in mind as you start the journey through Project-Based Learning (PBL)
Technology is providing opportunities for projects to be more connected to student's lives. The results are worth it when students find themselves connecting with the material and then using it in the real world. Most importantly, teachers will be learning with the students since this is a new way of learning.

2. Discussion on the overall benefits of the PBL approach.
By using the PBL approach, students are introduced to more real life experiences that they will use outside of the classroom. Students are more interested in this approach because it connects to the real world and it uses topics they're more interested in which in turn encourages them to participate more. I also believe that with the teachers learning alongside the students, the students will be more eager to learn when they can discover things with the teacher rather than always from the teacher.

3. Discussion on the benefits to students who participate in PBL.
Students learn to work and communicate their ideas collaborativley with other students which is an essential tool to use both outside the classroom and in the work force. They learn to meet deadlines better when they know others depend on them. They develop a key set of inquiry skills that lead them to explore ideas with their teammates. And most importantly, they develop a set of communication skills to break through cultural misunderstandings.

4. Discussion on what issues need to be considered in PBL approach.
We need to consider that this is a new approach for teachers and students alike. It will be a learning process where we will need to work together. Teachers will also need to be more developed in the understanding of technology. Right now we live in an age where students know more about technology than teachers. As teachers we need to know as much as we can so that we can help students in their struggles

5. Discussion on New Technology High as an example of New Technology Model.
I think it's important to have a smaller design that cater to each student's individual needs. It also has the teachers working together to perfect their lesson plans.

Reading Reflection #1 - Chapter 1 Mapping the Journey-Seeing the Big Picture

1. Discussion on what you need to keep in mind as you start the journey through Project-Based Learning (PBL).

In PBL, Teachers need to learn how to engage students in real-world projects. The teacher's role also shifts which gives the students more in control with their projects and it keeps them more interested. 

2. Discussion on the overall benefits of the PBL approach.

The benefits of the PBL approach was discussed over a debate about the accommodations of the digital-age learners and the workforce needs of the new century still continues to engage a global audience. The corporate world demands employees who can work as a team, access and analyze information, and be able to think creatively in order to solve problems. Educators routinely call for new strategies to better connect with the generation that is more accustomed to technology.  

3. Discussion on the benefits to students who participate in PBL.

In the Project-based Learning approach, the students will be able to create their own questions and meanings and it has shown to be extremely effective in increasing students' motivation, problem-solving and higher-order thinking skills. In Project-Based Learning, students will discover open-ended questions and will be able to apply their knowledge in order to produce their own products. 

4. Discussion on what issues need to be considered in PBL approach.

The issues that need to be considered in the PBL approach are working with colleagues and taking advantage of the benefits professional learning communities. Teachers must be able to embark on the right path and do some research in order to gather your own evidence on the benefits of digital-aged projects. 

5. Discussion on New Technology High as an example of New Technology Model.

A teacher named Paul Curtis left a traditional high school environment and joined the staff at the New Technology High. This school was designed to meet the accommodations of the 21st-century learners. The entire beliefs of the school supports the approach of PBL and textbooks were very scarce. The students had computers in reach at all times from every classroom and collaboration was given for both students and teachers. The projects immerse the students in real-world learning and teachers are given time to work together which included shared planning time and staff meetings that focused on instruction. also, online assessment tools enable the teachers to provide students wwith feedback and the student is most likely to receive multiple grades on one project in order to focus on their areas of improvement. 

Concept Map