Trends in Ed Tech!
Trends In Ed Tech
This week I read up on trends in ed tech and learned a lot about them. Although I am not yet a teacher, with E-Learning and being in the classroom last year, I was able to make connections with this list and my personal experience. I was able to review this list and determine which ones I felt I knew about and would recommend or which one I wanted to explore that is a new tool to me. I decided that I really wanted to become more knowledgeable in number 8 on that list, Project-Based Learning. I am a very visual person so upon doing my research into the 9 trends in ed tech I felt like being a super hands on learner really resonated with me and felt that once I become a teacher I can find ways to implement the "genius hour" so that students would really gravitate to their own learning in new ways. In this blog post I will focus on genius hour for project-based learning as I have found that professionals find it extremely successful when implemented in their classrooms.
Genius Hour and Project-Based Learning
Genius Hour is a system set in place that allows students to choose what they want to learn about and how they would like to learn about it. The role of the teacher is to support them in whatever way they need, this can range from potential topics, resources, to putting it all together. Last year in the midst of the pandemic with E-Learning, the classroom I was in definitely had a variation of genius hour with our kindergarten kids. It's important to note that project based learning was a challenge while doing E-Learning, so students did not complete this in partner or group work but individually. The kids in the "classroom" although they were at home, really loved the units set in place that allowed them to explore their own thinking while creating something new. For example, the tools unit; students had too critically think about a tool that was missing from their life, build one as independently as possible, present it to the class, explain the tool and why people need it in their life. Let me tell you, Kindergarten students are so innovative! This is just an example of how we used project based learning, the genius hour, with kindergarten students during the pandemic with E-Learning.
VIDEO
What can project-based learning look like for me?
Transitioning into the classroom as a Special Education teacher next year will allow me to collaborate with my peers to help implement project based learning. I have to say I am a huge fan of the genius hour especially for students in sped and students with any additional types of needs. I do believe that this type of learning and teaching will help students who tend to have a more difficult time with learning curriculum create buy-in. I also believe that students who do not have additional needs will benefit from this type of teaching as well as it helps to create more enjoyment surrounding their own learning. I do think that I would want to implement this in 2 different ways, independent and in group work. I do think it is important for students to collaborate and work together, this can create a new link between learning, researching, and showcasing some very interesting topics for students enhancing learning and creating the ultimate buy-in.
Additional Resources:
Characteristics of genius hour
A video for students: you have to have your own genius hour
Comments
Post a Comment