Blog Post #6: What I Learned From Anthony Capps

Project Based Learning Part 1 and Part 2 is filled with information and reflections. Anthony Capps summarized project based learning in a very simple way; he said it’s a means to getting the student to learn something. After watching Part 1, I learned that project based learning has to be relevant to the students lives and has to be driven by content (to fulfill the state standards). I have found students are more motivated about assignments if they are  connection to  their life. In Part 2, Anthony gave some benefits of project based learning and explained how he got feedback about the projects. One of the benefits of project based learning is that it creates opportunities for students to go beyond what you ask of them and they will take those opportunities. Students can be very creative, if they are given the chance. An amazing way Anthony received feedback about the project was by listening to students’ conversations about the project and recording them. Feedback is essential to better project based learning because the students are the ones that are completing the project so they have more of an idea how to make it better for their age level.

    In the iCurio video, Anthony mentions iCurio as an online tool that allows student to safely search the web. Safety online is a big issue with websites because anything can happen, but iCurio keeps the students safe as they are researching. iCurio has a research tool that allows students to search through criteria when researching such as searching only people. It also allows student to store and organize important information (i.e. creates folders), which gives them practice creating organizational schemes. Another great website for research is Discovery Education because it provides videos, pictures, and articles. The videos are especially useful because visual information is easier to retain. Anthony made an interesting comment about Discovery education videos. He said, “students listen and watch more than they read and write.” I found this to be true in the classroom last semester.

   

    The Anthony-Strange List of Tips for Teachers Part 1 is filled with much needed insight about teaching. A tip that I enjoyed and truly believe in is “be interested in learning”. We never stop learning and it is amazing the amount of information we accumulate. Another tip I try to apply is being flexible. Classrooms can be hectic and your day doesn’t always go as planned. When life throws us a curve ball we, as future teachers, have to manage and rearranged things. The last tip that really called to me was to reflect! Reflecting on the lessons, projects, and assignments can only make you a better teacher.

    In Don’t Teach Tech-Use it, Anthony says to use the technology and build on it. It’s particularly important to focus on one part of technology before moving on to the next. Students need to review what they learned the day before in order to reinforce the information. In Additional Thoughts About Lessons, Anthony guides viewers through the “four layers”, which include year, unit, week, and daily. Using lesson plans lets teachers plan out what needs to be reviewed and taught. In the lesson plan, teachers can input technology, review and plan for it.