Dear EFL teachers,
This week we are going to explore the wonderful world of online project based teaching and learning. Using projects in EFL classes requires complex tasks, based on challenging questions or problems, that involve students in design, problem-solving, decision making, or investigative activities. Online EFL projects give students the opportunity to work relatively autonomously over extended periods of time and culminate in realistic products or presentations. This way, project work encourages motivation, fosters group cohesiveness, and increases expectancy of success in target language, achieving the combination of academic and social goals through language use. Let's step into the world of projects, and discover an alternative efficient EFL teaching approach. |  |
Task 1. Study the resources below and give your own definition of what PBL (Project Based Learning) is and what its major advantages are.
a) Project based learning explained.
b) Five keys to PBL.
c) The basics of PBL.
d) iEARN Teddy Bear Project
Task 2.
Let's analyse how American Councils Moldova implements Project Based Instruction as part of its Access Microscholarship Program. Analyze the projects listed below, choose 2 projects you liked the most, and identify their comprising elements, such as: · Target problems the project addresses; · Project goals from civic and EFL teaching perspectives; · Project beneficiaries; · Project partners; · Project finalities from civic and EFL teaching perspectives; · Students’ English level (beginner, elementary, pre-intermediate, intermediate, upper-intermediate, advanced). Share your findings as a comment to this blog assignment. “A Letter to Santa Clause” “Access Youth in Action” Flashmob “Save the Planet with a Planted Flower” “Sharing is Caring” “Talking Kites Around the World” “Informing the Mihai Eminescu Community” “ A New Life for Sport and Youth” |   |
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Task 3: The process of developing a project requires from the teacher to be familiar with all stages of a project preparation, and of course, select appropriate project procedures and expected outcomes.
a. Consult the following links: b. Post your reflections on the following: · What project topic(s) and finalities /outcomes would be more appropriate to your students’ level and your teaching style (maximum 5 phrases)? · What challenge(s) might come along in developing and implementing Project Based Instruction with your students (maximum 5 phrases)? |
Task 4: Carefully analyse the projects below - they will help you identify the stages of a project, the impact each stage would have on students’ motivation and academic and social skills. Explain your ideas in a 50-word paragraph.
Task 5: Study the resources below and create a project assignment for your students related to one of the topics you will be teaching in January or February.
1) Feel free to create your own project or choose one from iEARN orAccess Microscholarship resources. 2) Follow the project template below. 3) Post the assignment on your blog and place the link below, as a comment to this assignment. Resources: Project assignment template:
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Task 1.
ReplyDeletePBL (Project Based Learning) is a new way of teaching that developes students’ critical thinking, teachers’ flexibility and well-planning skills, teacher-student collaboration. It’s major advantages are - Real-World Connection, Core to Learning, Structtered Collaboration, Student Driven, Multifaceted Assessment.
Diana, thanks for sharing. Your PBI defintion is concise and complete.
DeleteTask 2.
ReplyDeleteI liked the most:"Access Youth in Action" Flash mob
Target problems the project addresses• organizing a flash mob for supporting the idea of a better education for young generation
Project goals from civic and EFL teaching perspectives;
1. Organize in a special way the event, each partner trying to send to the communitythe general message.
2. To support the idea of a better education for the young generation
3. To inform about the possibilities to participate in many educational programs provided by American Council
• Project beneficiaries; - all the audience
• Project partners; - 400 people from Ungheni, Balti, Cahul, Comrat, Chisinau and Varnita/Bender, American Council
• Project finalities from civic and EFL teaching perspectives; Each region organized the event in a special way, trying to send to their community the general message in form of dance performance, posters, flags, thematic songs and represented American Councils' symbols-
• Students’ English level (beginner, elementary, pre-intermediate, intermediate, upper-intermediate, advanced). – the English level can be mixed in this case
And “Save the Planet with a planted flower”
Target problems the project addresses• The emptiness of the square “Grigore Vieru” and improving the situation by planting flower, bushes and arranging other decorations.
Project goals from civic and EFL teaching perspectives;
1. To improve the landscape of the square
2. To make a better place for resting
3. To promote ecological values
• Project beneficiaries; - community from Ungheni
• Project partners; - teacher, students, local authorities
• Project finalities from civic and EFL teaching perspectives; -
1. Changing people vision o the world
2. Develop ecological values
3. Think global but act local
• Students’ English level (beginner, elementary, pre-intermediate, intermediate, upper-intermediate, advanced). - the English level can be mixed (the students can help each other)
Diana, I am definetely sure that the detailed analysis you provided above will help you design your own class project step by step. Good luck!
DeleteTask 3.
ReplyDeleteWhat project topic(s) and finalities /outcomes would be more appropriate to your students’ level and your teaching style (maximum 5 phrases)?
For my students’ from the 4th, 5th and 6th I think it would be more appropriate topics like Safety Children on the Street, Enforcing Traffic Rules Worldwide. In this case, it’s our big problem as our school is near a public road. And for upper classes another topic it would be Cultural diversity. As the young students want to discover other cultures and customs either ours they would be very interested in this topic.
• What challenge(s) might come along in developing and implementing Project Based Instruction with your students (maximum 5 phrases)?
In developing and implementing Project Based Instruction with my students , I think the challenge might come in the initial phase of the project. They would need a very well preparation of the tasks form the part of the teacher, a very good explanation of what they have to do and what they have to have at the final stage.
Diana, you are totally right considering that the students "would need a very well preparation of the tasks form the part of the teacher, a very good explanation of what they have to do, and what they have to have at the final stage". Thuis way, a very detailed project explanation, includign golas, time frames, resources, stages, concerte finalities at the end of each stage, ways to communicate and work in groups, means of on-going assessment, and expected final outcomes, should be a must in the proces of project designing and teaching.
DeleteTask 4
ReplyDeleteI understood very well that only a very well planned Project Based Learning can be real success. Their implementing is a way to create creative opportunities to link school life to civic participation, to initiate a productive dialogue between school students and local authorities and involve local schools in community development projects.
Excellent ideas, Diana! Linking the the school life to community through students' civic partcipation will benefit all beneficiaries. Thanks.
DeleteTask 1: PBL is a teaching method that is focused on a meaningful problem or question that the pupils have to solve or answer, working in teams during an extended period of time to envestigate and answer to the question or problem that had been given.
ReplyDeleteIts major advantages are:
- PBL prepares students for the real world;
- encourage learning from experience;
- cultivate independence, curiosity and skills for self-directed, life long learning;
- collaboration and teamwork;
- critical-thinking/memory/creativity skills; etc.
Task 2: I liked “Save the Planet with a Planted Flower” and “Sharing is Caring”
a) Target problems the project addresses: to plant flowers, bushes in the empty square ,,Grigore Vieru''.
· Project goals from civic and EFL teaching perspectives: 1.to improve landscape of the square; 2.to make a better place for resting; 3.to promote ecological values.
· Project partners:local authorities.
· Project finalities from civic and EFL teaching perspectives:the students understood that they can change something in their community by their activity.
· Students’ English level: up-intermidiar,advanced.
b)Target problems the project addresses: to share the good mood and the little students have with the children living in orphanages.
· Project goals from civic and EFL teaching perspectives: to give some moments of joy and positive emotions and the wonders of friendship.
· Project partners: American Council
· Project finalities from civic and EFL teaching perspectives:The students made some amazing handmade bowties, they prepared some interesting activities to spend a perfect day together with their new friends.
· Students’ English level (pre-intermediate, intermediate, upper-intermediate).
Olesea, thank you for sharing your ideas and detailed project analysis, proving that through PBI we could " encourage learning from experience, cultivate independence, curiosity and skills for self-directed, life-long learning".
DeleteTask 3: I think that more appropriate to my little students’ level would be the topics : Our Rivers, Our World and Food Security. The students leave in the village Gura Cainarului where is produced mineral water, drinking water, and soft drinks and the juice-based products and I think they would the desire to participate in this project.In examining their eating habits, comparing food diaries, and learning where food originates it would be something interesting for them.
ReplyDeleteIn developing and implementing Project Based Instruction I think that a lot of challenges may appear because is something new for them but with a good explanation and instuction they will succeed.
Task 4: Making a Project-Based Learning at the begining the teacher has to think about a topic that will interest students, that will correspond to their level. After that to make a good explanation about the content and of each stage of the project. The teacher must make the students have to understand the need and the importance of the project, in this way I think they will succeed in their work.
DeleteTask 5: http://myblogclass.weebly.com/3rd-form/-project-based-learning
DeleteOlesea, it's worth saying that PBI could be easily integrated into our EFL school curriculum, since it covers the so much lacking interdisciplinarity, but definetly being well-organized and structured process. Referring to your project assignment, I would recommend you the following:
Delete- include the Voicethread link to ease students' work;
- encourage your students to share their accomplishments each week.
- delegate some students who will monitor the implementation of each step. The role of the monitors will be to remind the partcipants what they need to do and to offer relevant feedback to each comment, along with your own reflections as a teacher. Thus, you will be able to provide a formative assessment fo the whole process, but not only the evaluation of the final product. Thanks for sharing!
Task 1.
ReplyDeleteProject-based learning is a teaching approach that engages students in sustained, collaborative real-world investigations. Projects are organized around a driving question, and students participate in a variety of tasks that seek to meaningfully address this question. Students are given a project, are divided into groups where they ask questions, research, collaborate give each other feedback and find the best ways/solutions. The PBL is not about memorization, but about learning in-depth. The project offers students a real world connection by solving a life problem. Students work together but according to a structure given by the teacher. The students take more control while the teacher is more like a facilitator. Students are assessed while doing the project to see where they are, even more the students can assess themselves. Thus, students participating in PBL become more-engaged, self-directed learners, learn more deeply and transfer their learning to new situations, improve problem solving and collaboration skills, and perform better on tests.
Task 2.
“Save the Planet with a Planted Flower”
Target problems the project addresses;- lack of place to rest;
Project goals from civic and EFL teaching perspectives; -improve the landscape of the square; make it a better place to relax, promote ecological values;
Project beneficiaries;-all the community;
Project partners;-students, community, teachers, parents; American Councils.
Project finalities from civic and EFL teaching perspectives;-promote ecological values; better communication;
Students’ English level- elementary, pre-intermediate, intermediate.
“Informing the Mihai Eminescu Community”-
Target problems the project addresses; -informing the community about the problems school has;
· Project goals from civic and EFL teaching perspectives;-connect teachers, students and parents;
increase attendance of school events up to 50%;students to advertise their activities in school;
· Project beneficiaries;-teachers, students, parents, community.
· Project partners;-students, teachers, American Councils;
· Project finalities from civic and EFL teaching perspectives;- quality presentation of school events to parents and the community;
· Students’ English level - elementary, pre-intermediate, intermediate
What an excellent intereptation you've done, Eugenia! Hope this analysis will help you sucessfully design your own project in the classroom. Thanks.
DeleteTask 3. I could suggest to my students topics, such as: Cultural diversity, Education, Environment, Eating healthily, Water sanitation, Special places in the community, A day in my life, School uniform, etc. The students can present their results as videos, posters, PowerPoint presentations, argumentative writing, picture and photos exhibition, live conference, questionnaire, surveys, etc.
ReplyDeleteSome students might think it is not relevant for them to work in team to do the project, or might not have time or inspiration to do it. That is why it is very important to assign students the right project according to their interests, motivation, age and language skills.
Task 4. The teacher should define very clearly the topic, stages and the final results students achieve at the end of the project. Thus, the teacher explains all the stages of the project, the events/actions that are to be done, the way to present the final results: movies, posters, etc. and the impact it has on them and the community.
Task 5. http://englishandwe.weebly.com/11th-grade1/project-based-learning-deadline-january-30th
Dear Eugenia, I do agree with you that PBI could cover a large spectrum of curriculum content, and that a detailed and a well-structured project description will guide the students along the process of the project implementation. Referring to your project assignment, I would recommend you to include the Animoto/ Voicetherad link to ease students' searching the sites;and to encourage your students to share the accomplishments they got at the end of each stage. Also, you could delegate some students to monitor the implementation of each step. The role of the monitors will be to remind the participants what they need to do and to offer relevant feedback to each comment, along with your own reflections as a teacher. Thus, you will be able to provide a formative assessment fo the whole process, but not only the evaluation of the final product. Thanks you.
DeleteThank you Olga for your suggestions. I will definitely follow your advice.
DeleteTask 1:Project based learning is an educational project that can be used by teachers in order to facilitate learning and make students to become more engaged .It is based on five essential keys;Real World Connection;Core to learning;Sttructured collaboration ;Student Driven and Multifaced Assesment.PBL project change the role of learning it becomes a more practical one.Students design,solve problems ,investigate .collaborate with each other ,that's why they become more involved ,they learn more information and transfer their learning to new situations .
ReplyDeleteTask2 :I like the most :"Access Youth in Action" Flash mob
Target problems the project addresses• Youth who emigrate illegaly without having the right to a good education and a posper career
Project goals from civic and EFL teaching perspectives;
1. Organize a flash mob or other kind of action like posters communication ,dance in order to inform students about their possibilities and rights.
2. To support the idea of a better education for the young generation
3. To inform about the possibilities to participate in many educational programs provided by American Council
• Project beneficiaries; - all the audience
• Project partners; - 400 people from Ungheni, Balti, Cahul, Comrat, Chisinau and Varnita/Bender, American Council
- Project finalities from civic and EFL teaching perspectives; Each region was informed about the possibilities of Americancouncil programs
- Students’ English level
“ A New Life for Sport and Youth”
Target problem:Few places in the village where teenagers can practice sport increases the risk of vicious occupations as smoking ,acohol and drugs
Goal:Improvment of sportsmanship and propagation of healthy lifestyle of Varnita villagers and residents of nearby districts of Bender
Project beneficiares :Varnita villagers and residents of nearby districts of Bender
Project Parteners:Acces Varnita members,local public aministration Varnita,youth association Chance,Acces Bender and Fondul pentru tineri organization
Project finalities:All community realized the need of this project,teenagers can spend their free time in a healthy way practicing sport and relax themselves.
Student level:intermediate ,upper-intermediate
Task 3:I could suggest to my students topics like:Environement ,Education,Sport,Healthy Food ,Cultural diversity,Water sanitation .They can realize these projects using presentations ,photos ,posters ,surveys questionnaire.
The challenges that can appear can be :their low interes to participate,time missing.That's why teacher must organize the group with caution ,maybe to give the possibility to work with those they want to.Also it is very important to choose a familiar topic accordingly with the age and preferences,and language skills.
Task 4:The content of the project must be clear and very well organized ,also the goals they must achieve and the stages must be stipulated .
Tatiana, your analysis presented above (defitions and project example) emphasizes that the well-structured management of PBI's elements, such as: "Real World Connection;Core to learning;Structured collaboration; Student Driven and Multifaced Assesment" will represent the keys of a successful project integration into your classroom. Thanks for shring.
Deletehttp://educationforpupils.weebly.com/12-th-form-s-assignments
ReplyDeleteDear Tatiana, beside the fact that your project is very interesting, it is well-structured and clear. To improve it a little bit, I would recommend you to do the following:
Delete- include the Animoto/link to ease students' searching this tool;
- encourage your students to share the accomplishments they got at the end of each stage. Also, you could delegate some students to monitor the implementation of each step. The role of the monitors will be to remind the participants what they need to do and to offer relevant feedback to each comment, along with your own reflections as a teacher.
This way, you will assess either the whole process or project final outcomes.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletePBL –is a nice strategy of teaching and prepearing the students for real life.It seems to be very interesting for students that’s because our school curriculum and assessement is too accademic and doesn’t cover all students interest for school, they start to hate school and to become lazy ones despite the thing they are smart enough to become good qualified wokers in their life.Project offers them the opportunity to say their oppinions,views and thoughts knowing that there are no right or wrong answers just their creativity, gives freedom to their imagination. It offers the chance for a lot of critical thinking based on their differnt experience of life, they can choose the process or the teckniques of their presentation, what to start or finish with, wthat to include in the project to make it more clear for audience and a lot of cooperation that is not less important for a future life: they learn during a project how to support their idea to be the best one, to find solutions for it, to appreciate other group members ideas and to give up its own. Thus, students participating in a project become more engaged and responsible, learn how to make a decision, self-confident , creative, motivated, skills of public speaking and appreciated for their work.
ReplyDeleteDear Eudochia, it's worth saying that PBI "offers the chance for a lot of critical thinking" and students' individualization along the learning process. It fosters "a lot of cooperation that is not less important for a future life: they learn during a project how to support their idea to be the best one, to find solutions for it, to appreciate other group members ideas and to give up their own". Thank you for sharing your interesting reflections!
DeleteTask 2. l iked the most:"Access Youth in Action" Flash mob
ReplyDeleteTarget problems the project addresses:
• organizing a flash mob for supporting the idea of a better education for young generation
Project goals from civic and EFL teaching perspectives;
1. To organize the event in a special way: colorfull,attractive,English background music and songs,each partner trying to send to the community the general message being understandble for the community/audience.
2.To remember to poeple the things they seem forget about, to get them more involved in the idea they promote and to support it.
3. The parners of a „ flash mob” can be of great number of people of different age from different neighborhoods.(local authoritiies, pupils from different schools, parents, )
4. Project finalities from civic and EFL teaching perspectives; to inform about
the possibilities to participate in many educational programs provided by American Council, to get involved the other educational parners in solving some
school problems, to support help, to inform other people who are not directly
involved in the process of education what is happening in schools at the moment what are same school reqierements.
4.Students’ English level can be of differnt age and level just to give them the right role to express their disire in the flash mob.
Excellent ideas and solutions, Eudochia! The best I liked is that your stressed upon the idea that working with projects we need to establish and maintain a mutual partnership with other educational and local authority stakeholders. Hope this analysis will help you develop a very nice project idea for/with your students. Thanks for sharing!
DeleteTask 2./b
ReplyDeleteAnother activity a liked is „Informing the Mihai Eminescu Comunity”.
1. This activity is very varied from different aspects : it involves a lot of students of different levels from the same school and from other institutions, of different intelligence level, can be acceptable for shy students who like to write, for those who are not so good at English but are very creative and good at handicraft, students who have good abilities for drawing, a chance for boys to engineering etc.
2.The finalities are a lot.: they collaborate, they study their roles in English and learn how to stay in front of a public, writing abilities, notes and massages in English, a nice chance for many of them to confirm their abilities to a large audience, not only for the group he is studying.
Eudochia, your reflections prove that PBI provides a multitasking learning approach that supports the developement of either students' linguistic or pragmatic/ strategic competences.
DeleteTask 1
ReplyDeletePBL- is a group work, that involves student`s critical thinking, collaboration and communication.
Task 2
I liked: “ Access Youth in Action”- Flash mob
- Target problems the project addresses- The learning of young people abroad to make their leaving.
• Project goals from civic and EFL teaching perspectives
To send to their community the general message in form of dance, posters, flags, thematic songs…
To support the idea of a better education for young generation
To inform about the possibilities to participate in many educational programs provided by the American Council.
• Project beneficiaries- all the community
• Project partners-400 people from Ungheni, Balti, Cahul, Comrat, Chisinau and Varnita/Bender.
• Project finalities from civic and EFL teaching perspectives-each region organized the event in a special way
• Students’ English level
“Save the Planet with a Planted Flower”
• Target problems the project addresses-“Grigore Vieru “square from Ungheni – to improve this situation by planting flowers, bushes and arranging other decorations.
• Project goals from civic and EFL teaching perspectives
To improve the landscape of this park
To make better place for resting
To promote ecological values
• Project beneficiaries-community from Ungheni
• Project partners- students, teachers,
• Project finalities from civic and EFL teaching perspectives- to promote ecological values.
• Students’ English level – people with a different English level.
Task 3
As we live on the bank of river Nistru, I could suggest to my students topics like: Environment, Nature Protection, Water sanitation. The students could present their results as videos, posters, pictures and photos, exhibition, questionnaires. The challenges that can appear can be the lack of interest and time.
Task 4
To have a good and successful Project Based Learning it must be very well planed, to give a good explanation about the stages of the project, and what is expected from them. As to me , the project must connect the school life and civic participation, this will motivate students to participate in Project Based Learning.
Task 5
http://englishclassipati.weebly.com/8-th-form
Excellent work, Lilia. I do agree with you that PBI could include lots of topics for all levels, and that a detailed and a well-structured project description will guide the students along the process of the project implementation. Referring to your project assignment, I would recommend you to include the Animoto/ Voicetherad link to ease students' searching the sites;and to encourage your students to share the accomplishments they got at the end of each stage. Also, you could delegate some students to monitor the implementation of each step. The role of the monitors will be to remind the participants what they need to do and to offer relevant feedback to each comment, along with your own reflections on the project process and final products. Good luck!
DeleteTask.3 I would like to suggest to my students topics such as: Eating Healthy, Water Sanitation, Special places in my community, for students from the 4th to7th form as these topics are more clear for them to work with, and Cultural Diversity, Education, Environment, Special places in the community, A day in my life, School uniform, for more advansed students. The students can present their results as videos, audio Slideshows,Plays, songs, poems, , stories, dances, posters, Power Point presentations, Websites.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Eudochia.The topics you suggested prove that the PBI could cover a large spectrum of the English Language curriculum content.
Delete
ReplyDeleteTask 4.The teacher should know a lot about the abilities and likes of her students, to suggest them some topics and to select one more relevant for them deciding about the topic together. The teacher should elaborate a plan /steps of
implementing the project and to follow all the steps thoroughly in order to reach
the goal of it and the children pleasure.
Well said, Eudochia. In the processs of project planning, the teacher should identify the students' needs (learning styles, interests, and their current language proficiency), to be able to design a well-structured student-centered project idea.
DeleteGood job, Diana. I am very curious to see/ read the newspaper posts your students would develop during this project.
ReplyDeleteWhat I would recommend you to include is: to delegate some students who will monitor the implementation of the each step. Please , encourage your students to share their accomplishments each week. The role of the monitors will be to remind the partcipants what they need to do and to offer relevant feedback to each comment, aling with your own reflections as a teacher. Thus, you will be able to provide a formative assessment fo the whole process, but not only the evaluation of the final product.Good luck!
Thank you
ReplyDeleteTask 1
ReplyDeleteProject Based Learning is a teaching method that helps students to gain knowledge and develop their skills by working for an extended period of time, to investigate and find answers to a complex question, to solve a problem or challenge connected with the real life. It can improve student engagement in school, increase their interest in what is being taught, strengthen their motivation to learn, and make learning experiences more relevant and meaningful. Since project-based learning represents a more flexible approach to instruction, it allows teachers to tailor assignments and projects for students with a diverse variety of interests, career aspirations, learning styles, abilities and personal backgrounds.
Task 2.
The projects I liked are SAVE THE PLANET WITH A PLANTED FLOWER project and TALKING KITES AROUND THE WORLD.
Talking about the first project Save the Planet with a Planted Flower Project I can say that:
Target problems of the project: “Grigore Vieru” square that was recently projected looked empty and sad as there were no plants nor bushes planted, with the other words, the lack of community commitment in solving ecological problems of green spaces in the neighbourhood.
Project goals from civic and EFL teaching perspectives:
- to improve the landscape of the square;
- to make a better resting place;
- to promote ecological values.
Project beneficiaries: students, children and other citizens and visitors of Ungheni.
Project partners: students, local authorities.
Project finalities: 30 flowers and 20 bushes were bought and planted;
-the area was cleaned, the square-decorated;
-students learned how important it is to keep the resting areas green and clean;
- the citizens of Ungheni have got a nice place for rest and walk.
Students’ English level: all the levels.
The second project that that caught my eye is TALKING KITES AROUND THE WORLD.
Project target problem: this project was meant to fight worldwide problems such as intolerance, discrimination, segregation, racism, animosity, war, etc.
Project goals:
- to unite people of diverse age, nationality, sex, religion advancing cultural and social dialogue;
-to enhance important values such as tolerance, acceptance of the other, love, universal solidarity, altruism, dialogue over force, etc.
- to be able to formulate positive and accurate messages;
- to increase cooperation, communication, creativity while designing kites and writing messages.
Project beneficiaries: students, people around the world.
Project partners: Janusz Korczak, Adi Yekutieli, American Councils,common people and students around the world including Moldovan students from Cimislia, Balti, Cahul, Ungheni, Bender,etc.
Project finalities:- gorgeous kites were designed and sent to sky;
-students were cooperative, creative and communicative while creating kites;
- writing, grammar skills, accuracy were improved while creating messages;
-positive emotions and working atmosphere dominated the classrooms;
-kite recipients have got positive feelings and matters to reflect upon while reading the messages.
Students’ English level: elementary, lower-intermediate, upper-intermediate, advanced.
Mariana, you have submitted an excellent intereptation of both theoretical and practical PBI elements. Hope this analysis will help you sucessfully design your own project in the classroom. Thanks.
DeleteTask 3
ReplyDeleteAs I teach English in the 4th, 5th and 6th forms, I think that more appropriate topics for my students are: School, Day program, My family, Food and meals, Safety of Children on the Street, Traffic Rules, Sports, Save our planet. In this case, some suitable project to be implemented with my students that fit our National Curriculum, fact that’s not less important are: A DAY IN MY LIFE or MY SCHOOL, YOUR SCHOOL; KINDED FAMILY HISTORY; EVERY DAY IS EARTH DAY or TOGETHER WITH THE BIRDS.
While developing and implementing Project Based Instruction with my students the challenges I have faced are:
1. Poor digital skills of my students, failure of using a blog;
2. Passive partners;
3. My students may get bored if the project is too long.
Some possible solutions for the challenges I’ve mentioned above are:
1. Teaching my students how to use a blog, posting the materials together at the beginning;
2. Contacting my partners on Email repeatedly, asking for help the facilitator of the project, using the Teacher Forum to look for other active partners;
3. Choosing short term projects and, of course, according to students’ interests.
think the challenge might come in the initial phase of the project. They would need a very well preparation of the tasks form the part of the teacher, a very good explanation of what they have to do and what they have to have at the final stage.
Task 4
One of the advantages of PBL is the fact it develops students' integrated understanding of materials; students learn to collaborate with each other in solving problems; it promotes independent learning as students assume greater responsibility in their learning; and as PBL involves various types of tasks, it satisfies different learning needs of students; it also promotes critical and proactive thinking as
they have to formulate plans and evaluate solutions.
In addition, PBL moves students from passive learning to active learning and is able to improve knowledge retention and the learners’ ability to apply knowledge in creating their final products.
Besides PBL enhances students’ participation in the learning process (active learning and self-learning), it also helps to improve communication and collaborative skills that are important in their working life later.
Mariana, I do agree with you that "poor digital skills of my students, failure of using a blog" could reduce the students' enthusiasm in implementing the project. This way, the solutions you propose, such as: teaching them how to use a blog, posting the materials together at the beginning of te project;contacting my partners on Email repeatedly, asking for help the facilitator of the project, using the Teacher Forum to look for other active partners, and of course, choosing short term projects according to students’ interests" will be the best ways to address these issues. Thank you.
DeleteTask 5
ReplyDeletehttp://magicenglishmagicehglish.weebly.com/one-day-in-my-life/a-day-of-my-life-project
Mariana, your project is very interesting and detailed prepsented! I do like the fact that you mentioned the time limits and divided it into few sections. What I'd recommend you to add is: to delegate some students to monitor the implementation of each step for offering relevant feedback to each comment, along with your own reflections on the project process and final products. Looking forward to reading your students' blog posts while presenting their reflections and achievements for each project stage!
DeleteAssignment 14
ReplyDeleteTask 1
Project-based learning is a teaching approach based on having students go through fulfilling a set of carefully organized instructions requiring making predictions, designing plans and/or experiments, brainstorming ideas, creating artifacs, etc. as well as applying critical thinking skills, investigation and colaboration talents. This method of teaching has two goals shared by both instructors amd students: 1) to set a goal and find ways to solve it and 2) to develope language skills through using it as a means of communication betweem project participants.
Task 2
Sharing Is Caring
I think this project represents implementation of the kindest parts of students’ souls and the strongest side of their personalities. I take off my hat and say a HUGE ‘thank you’ to those who realized the project into life.
The beneficiaries are children from an orphanage.
Target problems the project addresses are the problems of orphans which they face every day. The biggest one is lack of love and care since they have no parents and home. These kids seldom smile and feel forlorn and left out of the world’s borders. How horrible it is to look around and see how much love, tenderness and care parents give to their children and at the same time to feel that this is something you will never have not because you don’t deserve it but because life is cruel and not every child iwas born to be lucky.
· Therefore the students’ goal was to share their good mood and the little they had with their Access colleagues from Orhei and Straseni living in orphanages.
The result was a wide range of positive emotions in the hearts of all the participants. Project implementator definitely made the children feel that they are a part of a big family. There were a lot of smiles, laughter, jokes and feelings of gratitude. It is always so nice to watch how children form new friendships.
I am really impressed.
The second project I like a lot is “Save the planet with a planted flower”
The problem was emptiness of the local park area and thus lack of attractiveness for visitors.
The goals were to improve the landscape of the square, to make it a better place for resting and to promote ecological values by planting bushes, flowers and making other decorations. The beneficiars are people who come to rest in the park.
The local authorities became partners and supported the project by regular irritating flowers and bushes.
The language level in the both presentations, according to my opinion, is upper-intermidiate
Task 3
I think my students wouldn’t mind to take part in such projects like: My name around the world, Pen friend, Special place, Holiday card exchange, Glabal food show and tell, School uniform exchange, Tulips and Daffodils and other similar projects. They would like to collabarate with foreign students and learn about their countries. Since projects are a new field for both students and me, it should be something easy for the first time in order to involve their interest by offerinfwith minimum efforts and maximum effect.
As about challenges, I think the first stage will be the most difficult for me, as a teacher, and, consiquently, for students. They will need detailed instructions and a carefully designed guideline, which, I am affraid, I might not be able to provide since it needs good preparation and total devotion from my side. This means TIME ,which I currently lack.
Task4
Here are the things I know for sure: it’s not enough just to want to make a project. The first and most hard thing is to set a problem around which the project itself might circle. Planning a project means careful considering all its stages so that they fit and successfully unite both students’ interests and the problem solving strategy.
Task 5
ReplyDeletehttp://mariaterziclassblog.weebly.com/efl-blogging-school-assignments/assignment-14-cbl
Task 1
ReplyDeleteThe BIE project-based learning is a teaching method that involves students in design, problem-solving, decision making, or investigative activities; gives students the opportunity to work relatively autonomously over extended periods of time, allows students to learn concepts, apply information, and represent knowledge in a variety of ways; collaboration among students, teachers, and others in the community so that participants can learn from one another; and use of cognitive tools that help learners represent ideas by using technology.
Task 2
I liked most “Save the Planet with a Planted Flower” –
The target problem: In Ungheni a new square was recently projected, where people come and rest but it lacks flowers and different sorts of decorations.
Project goals from civic and EFL teaching perspectives: to improve the landscape of the square; to make a better place for resting; to promote ecological values.
Project beneficiaries: the people from the community.
Project partners: local authorities, American Council
Project finalities from civic and EFL teaching perspectives: to change the people vision on the word and promote ecological values.
Students’ English level: all the levels
“Talking Kites Around the World” -
The target problem: “Talking Kites Around the World” is an iEARN project, a universal movement enhancing the important values, such as tolerance, acceptance of the "other", love, co-existence, listening, choosing dialog over force, universal solidarity etc. among participants from all over the world. This way, Access students from all 6 regions made kites to fly as a massive tribute dedicated to advancing the cultural and social dialog, a symbol of bridging the gap and understanding the "other."
Project goals from civic and EFL teaching perspectives: to tell everybody how beautiful the world should be.
Assignement 14
ReplyDeleteTask 1
Project Based Learning is a complex method of teaching based on real problems, that involves students in design, problem-solving, decision making or investigate activities. It has a real final product that can be assessed multidimensional. It represents the students’ knowledge in a variety of ways.
The advantages of PBL are:
• Students become more engaged;
• Students are self-directed;
• Their learning is more deeply and they transfer it to new situations;
• It improves collaboration skills;
• Engage student in real problem-solving, so they are double motivated;
• Makes a difference—it’s sth new and captivating.
Task 2
The project I liked the most was Sharing is Caring.
• Target problem: sharing goods and good mood with students from the orphanages;
• Project goals: to make the orphan kids feel important and encourage English speaking
• Project beneficiaries: Access Ialoveni students and orphan kids from Orhei and Straseni got motivated and new real problem got them engaged.
• Project partners: The schools were the students learn, American Council
• Project finalities: to make positive emotions and encourage collaboration through sharing in a community, make everybody feel important and responsible for the people surrounding them;
• Students’ English levels: beginner to intermediate
The second project is “A Letter to Santa Clause”
• Target problem: Christmas Contest;
• Project goals: to encourage students writing letters and sharing their Christmas dreams
• Project beneficiaries: Access students.
• Project partners: The schools were the students learn, American Council
• Project finalities: to encourage English communication and share personal things
• Students’ English levels: beginner to intermediate
Task 3
Topics that my students will enjoy are: Environment, School Uniform, Ecology, Volunteering, Food, Teenagers challenges, Future job etc. As usual they are enthusiastic, but when starting working, they give up. That’s why is difficult to maintain their interest, to convince about the utility of the time they spend doing the project and demonstrate that the final product is really important, relevant.
Task 4
Firstly you have to decide with the students the problem you’ll concentrate on and what will be the final product. It’s very important to make them feel that the decision belongs to them, not like it is being imposed, and the final product will serve for sth. Secondly you have too plan together each step and make them responsible for each step assess—it’s not like giving a report, but ask for continuous work.
Task 5 http://galinamadam.weebly.com/homework
ReplyDeleteTask 1
ReplyDeleteProject Based learning is a eaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an engaging and complex question, problem, or challenge. The project is focused on student learning goals, including standards-based content and skills such as critical thinking / problem-solving, collaboration, and self-management.
Task 2
ReplyDeleteI liked the most 'Sharing Is Caring" and "Save the Planet With a Planted Flower"projects.
The first one is a good way to emphasize the charity for children and to show human best parts of the soul. People nowadays are very 'cold', that is why I think these kind of projects should prevail in our schools and in our entire society.
The second one, I really enjoyed very much,because our surroundings need to be kept clean, this is the air we inspire, we live with.
The main goals of the first project is : to attract many people who cares, to make the orphan kids feel important and at the same level like the others.
Project beneficiaries: Access Ialoveni students and orphan kids from Orhei and Straseni.
• Project partners: the students learn, American Councils;
• Project finalities: to make positive emotions and encourage collaboration, make everybody feel to be need;
• Students’ English levels: beginner to intermediate;
The second project goal is: to make a better place for resting; to promote ecological values.
Project beneficiaries: the people from the community;
Project partners: local authorities, American Councils;
Project finalities from civic and EFL teaching perspectives: to make people work hard in order to keep a clean square;
Students’ English level: all the levels;
Task 3
ReplyDeleteThe topics that my students will enjoy will be Animals and their care, Domestic pets, Favourite Food, Music, Dance. As they are in the second grade, they are very little and like all that is tasty, colourful, nice and musical. I think, they will pay attention to the projects based on the one of these themes,and will be active in achieving the goals proposed.
Task 4
ReplyDeleteFirstly, the project should be carefully planned. Then, it comes the participants that should be involved all. Then, the methods, the materials and utilities that will help to resolve the project items.
Rodica Task 1. Project Based Learning is a new way of teaching students, I can say an innovative one. The teacher is the mentor, who leads the students to knowledge, helps them to develop critical thinking, communication skills and to collaborate in groups in order to provide new ideas and to apply them in real life. PSL emphasizes practical experience of students, less than theoretical one, this is a need to be competitive in our century.
ReplyDeleteRoibu Svetlana Assignment #14 Task 1:
ReplyDeletePBL (Project Based learning) is a teaching method based on project form of collaborative teaching-learning with active participation of students in the process of learning that involves the students directly to apply their knowledge in different learning activities such as:
Asking and refining questions, Debating ideas, Making predictions, Designing plans and/or experiments, Collecting and analyzing data, Drawing conclusions, Communicating ideas and findings to others, Asking new questions, Creativity tasks…
Roibu Svetlana Assignment #14 Task 2:
ReplyDeleteI like 2 projects- “A New Life for Sport and Youth” and “Save the Planet with a planted flower”:
1. “ A New Life for Sport and Youth”
Target problem:Few places in the village where teenagers can practice sport increases the risk of vicious occupations as smoking ,acohol and drugs
Goal: Improvment of sportsmanship and propagation of healthy lifestyle Project beneficiares :
-Varnita villagers & Bender Project Parteners
-Acces Varnita members
- Local public aministration Varnita
- Youth association Chance
- Acces Bender
- Fondul pentru tineri
Project finalities: young people, teenagers can spend their free time in a healthy way practicing sport and relax themselves.
Students’ level: intermediate, upper-intermediate
2. “Save the Planet with a planted flower”
Goal:
- To improve the landscape of the square
- To make a better place for resting
- To promote ecological values
Project beneficiaries; - community from Ungheni
Project partners; - teacher, students, local authorities
Project finalities :
Changing people vision about the world
- Develop ecological values
- Think global but act local
Students’ of different levels
Roibu Svetlana Assignment #14 Task 3: My reflection: The area of projects vary from the Ecological and Environmental ones till Volunteering and Caring, from School uniforms till School food, from Teens’ challenges till Future profession; Project finalities have a positive and relevant impact. It must occur on individual person or a whole community; Students’ level are different; Teaching style could be mentoring, guiding, supporting. Challenges might come through motivation to have a clear citizenship position, and positive civic participation.
ReplyDeleteRoibu Svetlana Assignment #14 Task 4:
ReplyDeleteThe Project work has some important steps that must not be avoid:
- Getting Informed about How to create a project
- Find the project
- Find the partners
- Establish the Project’s ideas
- Planning of the Project
- Elaborating of the Project
- Realization/Implementation of the project
- Analyzing of the finalities
Rodica. Task 2. I like most of all the projects: Save the planet with a planted flower and A new life for sport and youth. The first one is a community project. The project goals are: to improve the landscape of the square from Ungheni, to make a better place for resting and to promote ecological values. The beneficiaries are the people from Ungheni town. Project partner: the local authorities. The second one is the same a community project. The goal is the improvement of sportsmanship and propagation of healthy lifestyle of Varnita villagers. The partners are: the local public administration, youth association `Chance`, ACCESS Bender and others.
ReplyDeleteProject Based Learning is a piece of work involving careful study of a subject over a period of time, done by school or college students
ReplyDeleteProject-based learning is a teaching method through which students work to answer a complex question or solve a complex problem. This problem solving includes researching the question, synthesizing the information, working with others, and presenting the work to the class. Projects can last as long as they need to and can cover a wide variety of topics and subject areas.
DeleteHaving students identify and solve a school-wide problem is a great way to implement project-based learning in our classroom. The problems and solutions will be specific to our school.
For students, benefits of project-based learning include:
DeleteOpportunities to develop complex skills, such as higher-order thinking, problem-solving,collaborating, and communicating, access to a broader range of learning opportunities in the classroom,providing a strategy for engaging diverse learners.
Assessement 14.
ReplyDeleteTask1.
Project based learning is a teaching approach that engages students in sustained ,collaborative real-world investigation of a problem/matter.
Some of the advantages of PBL are:
-students advance in language skills;
-they learn how to be better critical thinkers by examining the materials together and sharing perspectives;
-they have a great opportunity to interact with one another , to improve collaborative skills;
-students are enabled with the feeling of a sense of empowerment;
-students are involved in the decision-making process;
-students achieve the combination of academic and social goals through language use;
-students are connected directly to the real-world issues;
-students become more engaged, self -directed learners;
-students learn more deeply and transfer their learning to new situations;
Tiuliuliuc Luminita
ReplyDeleteAssignment 14 Task 1
PBL is a method of teaching based on real problems, that involves students in design, problem-solving, decision making or investigate activities. It has a real final product. It engages the students in applying their knowledge directly into action.
Tiuliuliuc Luminita
ReplyDeleteAssignment 14 Task 2
To my mind "Sharing is Caring" is the best one because it the Charity topic is probably the main one today, knowing how much violence and unjustice lots of children experience these days.
The second project that impressed me is "Save the Planet with a planted flower”. I think promoting ecological values is something important, something youth needs today a lot.
Tiuliuliuc Luminita Assignment 14 Task 3
ReplyDeleteWhat project topic(s) and finalities /outcomes would be more appropriate to my students’ level and your teaching style?
I am sure about the fact that though there is so much awareness spread about the Ecology being in Danger I still believe that topics like Ecological Education should be applied and finally fulfilled by larger groups of students. We live in a very picturesque district in the North of Moldova, but the Garbage issue is still on the agenda. That's why the outcomes of such a project would contribute to the sanitation of the district's streets and neighborhoods as well.
Tiuliuliuc Luminita
ReplyDeleteAssignment 14 Task 4
Innitially everything should be discussed and agreed on by the group of students together with their so-called leader (it can be a teacher, of course). Then a really well-thought plan of actions should be elaborated. After that the terms / tasks and those in charge should be appointed. Finally the procedure should be kept according to the decision taken unanimously.
Task 1.
ReplyDeleteProject-based learning is a teaching approach that engages students in sustained, collaborative real-world investigations. Projects are organized around a driving question, and students participate in a variety of tasks that seek to meaningfully address this question.
Furthermore, because we live in an increasingly more technological and global society, teachers realize that they must prepare students not only to think about new information, but they also must engage them in tasks that prepare them for this global citizenship.
Project-based learning is “a systematic teaching method that engages students in learning knowledge and skills through an extended inquiry process structured around complex, authentic questions and carefully designed products and tasks.” This process can last for varying time periods and can extend over multiple content areas.
Five keys to rigurous PBL:
Delete-Real world Connection
-Core to Learning
-Structured Collaboration
-Student Driven
-Multifaceted Assessment
Task 2.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the project "A Letter to Santa" and "Save the Planet with a Planted Flower". They are very creative and at the same moment useful, encouraging and with a perspective for student.
Task 5.
ReplyDeleteI have organized a project with my students. It was a big collective work. It was entitled "My Home - My Castle" The youngest students (the 2nd and 3rd forms) drew and made their houses while the older students (the 9th form) wrote the rules of their families. The 6th form students drew their family trees.
http://www.weebly.com/editor/main.php - "My Home - My Castle".
Task 3.
ReplyDeleteI think the most appropriate project topic could be "Environment" from the Global issues.
Challenges are very clear. Here I reflect some of them:
- how can we keep clean our environment?
- what should each of us do to clean up our town?
- how can we imply our community to collaborate for cleaning our town?
- how to educate the young generation to clean their workplace?
Task 4.
ReplyDeleteAll these projects are very interesting. I have enjoyed the project "My place- Your place". I think all these projects develop firts of all collaborating skills. They help students to make new friends, to help one another, to understand their personal significance. By the other side they develop also a set of other skills, such as professionalism, responsability, self-estimation, self-respect,etc.
Task 1.Project-based learning is a teaching approach that engages students in sustained, collaborative real-world investigations. Projects are organized around a driving question, and students participate in a variety of tasks that seek to meaningfully address this question. Out of all analyzed supplies I could identify the following benefits for students :
ReplyDelete*learn from each other
*interact with each other
*collaborate and communicate
*maintain native l-ge and strengthen English at the same time
*learn in depth
The most important one is developing critical thinking and problem solving skills which are inevitable in preparing them for life, in order to be able to find out at least 3 solutions to any problem.
Task 1.Project-based learning is a teaching approach that engages students in sustained, collaborative real-world investigations. Projects are organized around a driving question, and students participate in a variety of tasks that seek to meaningfully address this question. Out of all analyzed supplies I could identify the following benefits for students :
ReplyDelete*learn from each other
*interact with each other
*collaborate and communicate
*maintain native l-ge and strengthen English at the same time
*learn in depth
The most important one is developing critical thinking and problem solving skills which are inevitable in preparing them for life, in order to be able to find out at least 3 solutions to any problem.
Task 2 Most of all I liked the Project “Save the Planet with a planted flower”
ReplyDeleteGoalTo improve the landscape of the square; to make a better place for resting;
to promote ecological values
Project beneficiaries; the community from Ungheni
Project partners; - teacher, students, local authorities
Project finalities :Changing people's vision about the world; develop ecological values;think globally but act local.
Students’ of different levels of English and ages.
The second one that impressed me is TALKING KITES AROUND THE WORLD.
Project target problem: this project was meant to fight worldwide problems such as intolerance, discrimination, segregation, racism, animosity, war, etc.
Project goals:
- to unite people of diverse age, nationality, sex, religion advancing cultural and social dialogue;
-to enhance important values such as tolerance, acceptance of the other, love, universal solidarity, altruism, dialogue over force, etc.
- to be able to formulate positive and accurate messages;
- to increase cooperation, communication, creativity while designing kites and writing messages.
Project beneficiaries: students, people around the world.
Project partners: Janusz Korczak, Adi Yekutieli, American Councils,common people and students around the world including Moldovan students from Cimislia, Balti, Cahul, Ungheni, Bender,etc.
Project finalities:- gorgeous kites were designed and sent to sky;
-students were cooperative, creative and communicative while creating kites;
- writing, grammar skills, accuracy were improved while creating messages;
-positive emotions and working atmosphere dominated the classrooms;
-kite recipients have got positive feelings and matters to reflect upon while reading the messages.
Students’ English level: elementary, lower-intermediate, upper-intermediate, advanced.
I consider that this project is quite humain and actual and it can develop students' empaphy to the different from him one, and acceptance and tolerance that is quite important in our schools that we have inclusive education.
Task 3.What project topic(s) and finalities /outcomes would be more appropriate to your students’ level and your teaching style?As we live on the bank of the river Nistru and there is a nice park their of which our lyceum takes care ,volunteering activity to clean each spring and autumn, it would be great to implement a project to illuminate and decorate it with planting flowers and making some flower-beds.
ReplyDeleteIt's a little bit difficult to convince students to volunteer but if we find ways of motivating them ,we can manage.
· What challenge(s) might come along in developing and implementing Project Based Instruction with your students (maximum 5 phrases)?
Task 4.A project should have quite concrete goals ,be relevant and necessary to the group of students and maybe to the community.It should respect the following steps:
ReplyDelete*project description
*who will benefit
*names and adresses of partner organizations
*the statement of need
*project elaboration
*project implementation
*project evaluation.