Module 4 Reflection

In Module 4 of the Intel Education eReader, I learned the importance of student samples. Student samples are simply samples of the work that students will eventually do, but the teacher completes the sample in order to show students how to complete a project. The module also asks two important questions. One: How can the creation of a student sample help me clarify my unit expectations and improve my instructional design? Two: How can I ensure students will achieve the learning objectives when creating their student projects?

The first question seems fairly simple to answer. If I do the same work that my students do, I will understand what they are learning from the experience rather than just what I hope that they will learn from the experience.Once I fully realize what I want my students to learn, I should be able to pick the appropriate technology for them to use for the project and adjust the design of the project. I found the Best Tool for the Job document quite helpful when choosing which tool I wanted to use for the student sample for my unit plan.

There were four options mentioned for the student sample. Those options were a presentation, publication, wiki, and a blog. All of these options were also created during the course of this class, which makes the information provided by the Intel Education eReader easier to understand. Each tool requires 21st century skills, which makes these tools perfect for project-based learning.

After viewing and considering each option, Activity 4 asks me to revisit my unit plan. I found myself changing a few aspects to my Unit Plan, including how the students were going to present their final project. This brings me to the second question that the module proposes. The only way that I can ensure my students will achieve the learning objectives when creating their projects is to create a similar project, with each section addressing an objective that I have set for them. In my case, I will create a blog where each post addresses curriculum-framing questions, 21st century skills, and critical thinking.