Choose one of the topics below to blog:
A] Problem Based Learning if implemented the right way encompasses inquiry, higher order thinking, critical thinking and much more. Explain why you agree or diagree with the author.
B] On page 9, the author compares and contrasts traditional teacher centered instructions to the student centered PBL. What do you see as the urgent need to move away from the traditional teaching to the student centered inductive learning.
A] Problem Based Learning if implemented the right way encompasses inquiry, higher order thinking, critical thinking and much more. Explain why you agree or diagree with the author.
B] On page 9, the author compares and contrasts traditional teacher centered instructions to the student centered PBL. What do you see as the urgent need to move away from the traditional teaching to the student centered inductive learning.
B] Lack of engagement is a critical issue in the modern classroom. PBL is a good way to get students to take ownership of their work and form constructive connections between what they know and what they are expected to learn. Incorporating technology makes the inquiry process more authentic and engaging to the students simply because young people often enjoy using gadgets.
ReplyDeletePBL's allow students to come with no prior knowledge; however, they are able to learn as they go. I agree, that when students take ownership of their work they seem to learn more. I like PBL's because some student's learn more than they would if we were to actually teach a lesson!
DeleteA] Problem Based Learning moves students out of the comfort zone of passive learning and forces them to take responsibility for their own learning. By asking a student to explore and find solutions on their own, the teacher forces the student to inquire and think critically about not only the problem, but also their own thought processes. This "thinking about thinking" type of metacognition is a much higher order thinking process than is usually employed in the classroom setting.
ReplyDeleteThe need to move from traditional teaching to student centered learning is a must. Students are beginning to lack critical thinking skills and higher order thinking skills. This is the main reason behind the need for common core standards in all subjects. We need to move our students to a level where they are able to develop reasonable solutions based on sound principles obtained from content knowledge. Once students become familiar with solving their own problems they will then be able to move towards becoming a leader in this 21st century.
ReplyDeleteI do not think, at my level of 7th/8th grade this should be a total either/or process. I think it is important to expose this level of students to PBL but they have been taught with a traditional process for such a long time that we can not just leave that entirely. I believe we as humans like consistency, and we can not change the students learning methods overnight.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mr. Z that we can not change the students' learning methods overnight. However, we are sure can introduce gradually. The question is are you willing to start?
DeleteI concur with the author of the first statement in Part A. I believe that students remember concepts better when they are discovered rather than told. Pbl's when implemented correctly, allow students to gain a greater understanding of what they are learning and why. A Pbl also allows students to understand the concept being learned and its connection to a real world application.
DeleteThrough technology students are encourage to engagement. Technology should enable the students to gather and interpret information easily. Students are able to investigate real world problems and solve them.
DeletePBLs allow students to make real life connections with the learning concept/content. Through the use of technology students are able to become increasingly engaged in lessons as tap into their own levels of critical thinking. Regardless of levels of learning, PBLs can allow students to identify with success which can act as a motivational tool to "learn more" or "know more". I believe that it is effective in differentiation of instruction as well.
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ReplyDeleteA]I agree with the author. The PBL method of teaching and learning forces students to think out of the box and encourages them to connect the dots and make connections where they are not explicitely given. Here the challenge that I see is that some students don't like to think and want to be told what to do. PBL is a way to try to force them to think and to familiarize them with solving problems independently or collaborativey without direct explicit teacher input.
DeletePBL helps to develop higher order thinking skills. This allows students to apply the knowledge that is gained to standardized test questions. From my experience most students have the appropriate knowledge base but lack the ability to apply it to the question.
ReplyDeleteStudent centered learning is the direction that teaching should be going. Students will inquire, investigate and make generalizations about any problem. Problem based learning (PBL) goes hand in hand with student centered learning.
ReplyDeleteIt is very difficult for me to get students to "think." If PBL's are used correctly, students will become great crtical thinkers as well as great problem solvers. This is a skill that will help them for the rest of their lives. PBL's should be used in all grade levels therefore when students become high school students they would not feel overwhelemed with the concept of student centered and students being responsible for their own learning. I agree with Papert when he states that he believes "that when a child is "taught" a concept, he or she is deprived of the "pleasure and benefit" of discovery. Students have to take responsibility for their own learning to ensure that they are albe to succeed.
ReplyDeleteI hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand....Confucius
ReplyDeleteAs educators we ultimately want our students to understand.
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ReplyDeletePBL is all of things that the author describes it to be. But what makes it even more valuable is the fact that what is learnt is immediately relevant to the student. And students tend to retain the information and the skills acquired since they are an active part of the knowledge construction process.
ReplyDeleteSince PBL is student centered, it takes a very special kind of student for it to be successful. A student with a solid academic foundation and disposition, one who is extremely motivated, curious, ready to learn with good reasoning and critical thinking skills.
In response to question #B, traditional methods used to teach no longer hold the interest of today's students. Due to the availability of instant answers at their fingertips, we as teachers must be creative and willing to think outside the box in order to engage and prepare students for their futures. PBL provides teachers with a valuable tool for educating modern students. It allows the students to take information that they are learning outside of the classroom and link their learning to the world in which they currently live in.
ReplyDeleteA) I agree with the author of the statement. I have been guilty of the 'here, do this' approach to introducing an assignment. This ends up frustrating the students & myself. The students are not properly informed of what is expected of them so they give up. When they give up, I view the assignment as a failure and I give up on the method. I have realized through the discussion & readings on PBL that the assignment should be introduced using a scaffolded approach. Also, these assignments need to be continually implemented throughout the school year in order to increase the students' familiarity with what is expected of them.
ReplyDeleteB]I agree with the author that there is an urgent need to move away from the traditional teaching to the student centered inductive learning. In 21st century, students are disengaged in teacher centered classrooms and do not see any value in learning concepts that they cannot apply in real life. PBL being inquiry based and technology driven inspire students' interest and motivation in learning.
ReplyDeleteThe urge to change to student centered learning is important. The student centered learning approach, such as that which is prescribed in problem-based learning, allows the student to engage in critical thinking which prepares them for solving real world problems. Students operate at the highest levels of Bloom's Taxonomy. Student centered learning also addresses multiple learning styles and intelligences.
ReplyDeleteB} The urgent need to move away from the traditional teaching to the student centered inductive learning is needed for a few reasons. One of the main reasons is society wants individuals that can think and solve problems and moving to student centered inductive learning allows students to improve on their critical thinking and problem solving skills. In addition, standard exams wants students to show mastery via critical analysis and in order to show critical analysis you must use both inductive and deductive reasoning. Finally, in our classrooms, the focus should be on the students and his or her learning and growing.
ReplyDeleteLeon
B] I have had first-hand experience with the urgent need to move away from the traditional teaching to the student-centered inductive learning this past school year. I assigned a 7 day PBL in my GPS Geometry students as a final exam presentation. I saw a transformation in my students being actively engaged and eager for learning in those 7 days. They showed an extra added interest level and took great ownership for their learning. I also noticed that they would only seek my assistance when amongst the group they were unable to come up with a solution. I also witnessed that the students did some research outside of the instructional time as well.
ReplyDeleteC.Moreland
ReplyDeleteA) Yes I agree that a PBL promotes inquiry, higher order thinking, critical thinking and much more when implemented properly. When I implemented a PBL this past year, I realized this type of activity reaches the students who have weaknesses in math. This type of student may find an area of success. This can spark curiosity and students may try harder to understand the math concepts. Ultimately the student will begin to think of varied ways to solve problems which will lead to higher order thinking. If a weaker student can be reached it has to be good for average and above average students. It was really fascinating to watch the interest level, interaction, ownership, and problem solving skills.
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ReplyDeleteI agree that if problem based learning is implemented correctly students will be able to increase their higher order thinking skills as well as increase their critical thinking skills. Students will be required (or forced) to go beyond what they believe their limits are in thinking. I know that when I return back to school I will attempt to implement one PBL every six weeks.
ReplyDeleteI believe there is a strong need to move away from the traditional methods of teaching to Problem Based Learning.
ReplyDeleteAs a teacher, we can educate our students by integrating real world topics into PBL curriculum. PBL will definetely help them make the connection to the real world as the concepts are being taught in the classroom. It can drive students from the weariness and dreariness of fact driven classes to an exciting world of exploration. This exhilarating power of self learning, with directed efforts of a faciltating educator can help kindle their interest and make real world connection, eventually assisting them to make reformative ideas, as they work in small group cooperative environment.
Inquiry and PBL techniques help develop higher -order criticle
ReplyDeletethinking skills among the students.But here I would like to spcify
that all the students thinking abilities are are not same and they
fucntion differently in different situations.At the same time I would
like to comment that this modern generation students are well veresed
in utilizing the modern gadgets and they know how to play around
them.