This week, I explored a project based learning strategy that I felt was very successful. As a group, students helped to build a crossword puzzle using the academic vocabulary we have been studying. It was great fun for them, and they enjoyed creating their own quiz. There is a great free website that lets anyone create a crossword puzzle or word search. All the creator has to do is put in the word and the clue (definition). It prints out as a puzzle, and also a key. http://www.theteacherscorner.net/printable-worksheets/make-your-own/crossword/crossword-puzzle-maker.php Benefits of project learning are Numerous. It increases motivation, experiential learning which is more powerful, collaboration, communication, real world situations, and learning by mistakes. Learning by mistakes is also a great way to learn.
Resource:
Edutopia. (Executive Producer). (2010). An introduction into project-based learning [Webcast]. The George Lucas Educational Foundation. Retrieved
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria , VA
Thanks for the crossword website. I will be using that in my Geometry classes to work with vocabulary. You are correct when you say learning by mistakes. My problem is that students so many often times do not. At my school we offer math tutoring every period of the day that students can go to during a study hall our their lunch, but they do not go as much as they have in the past. Ths year my school has also allowed students to use their phones during lunch. I think we have found out that students would rather text each other and be fine with a C or D than put in the extra effort to learn from their mistakes.
ReplyDeleteJeff
Cathy, did the students take one another's crossword puzzle quizzes? Or was the challenge just to create their own puzzle? Did the students work together in groups, or was their puzzle their own creation? I have found students can only learn by their mistakes as they realize they created a mistake. An excellent way to develop this awareness is through peer interaction and allowing other's to test their ideas. I still find the challenging students are the ones who don't want to think through their work and are willing to let anyone tell them what to write or think...the challenges of being a teacher :)
ReplyDeleteI agree that students can really only learn from their mistakes if they realize they created a mistake. It's unfortunate that most of the time it seems that work is corrected, handed back, and it's on to the next subject. Hands on learning is something that would allow for more thought process to happen.
ReplyDeleteThe crossword puzzle is something that we did as a whole group this last week. As teacher/librarian, I only have 20 minutes per lesson. Once students have enough exposure to how it works, I will take them to the computer lab to make their own in small groups.
Cathy,
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of having students develop a crossword puzzle, this is something that I have used in my class as well. I don't know if you have done this, but I like to tell kids that they will be exchanging puzzles to have someone else solve theirs. The kids really do a much better job when they know that their peers will be looking at their work and not just the teacher. I have even exchanged them between different periods as well. There can be a very quick, easy, fun, and effective way of having kids go over important vocab words in just about any class.
Isn't it great to see that kids really can and will have high expectations of them selves when they have motivation!
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