Week 2 Reflection

This article discusses the goals of the PBL model for all students. The primary objectives are to create “authentic self-knowledge, diverse local and global interdependence, adaptive critical thinking, and new media literacies” (Heick 2013). The beauty of the PBL model is that students can achieve these objectives through an individualized path, hence capitalizing on the diverse and unique learning styles of each student. Moreover, this article pushes the idea of students moving from “students” to “learners.” As learners students can accomplish the same tasks and goals but through various modalities and with that freedom the teacher can create flexible differentiation (Heick 2013). 

As an Honors English teacher I believe this model will be extremely effective in my classroom. The practical application behind the PBL will be a motivating factor for students and the creativity and collaboration will be enticing and engaging. My classroom is centered on discussion based learning and students teaching students to create meaningful learning opportunities. Through the PBL model students will be able to accomplish the objectives I already have laid out for my current classroom, but have more freedom to be creative. 

All of my research on PBLs has me very intrigued about using this model in my classroom. My district is already moving in this direction creating units with a culminating project at the end of each unit that holds real world application and requires students to engage in critical thinking skills. When reading Of Mice and Men and To Kill a Mockingbird my students discuss the idea of the American dream. We look into expository texts such as FDR’s First Inaugural Address and historical documents that relate to the Great Depression. I would like to create a PBL where students act as marketing executives presenting to a public relations firm the attributes of the current generation’s perspective of the American dream. Students would use a form of digital media to develop a presentation and persuade the company of what the modern version of the American dream looks like. 

References

Heick, T. (2013, June 27). The Difference Between Learners and Students. Retrieved June 17, 2014, from http://www.edutopia.org/blog/difference-between-learners-and-students-terry-heick