Double Entry Journal #6

1. Read the Introduction. What "dominant paradigm" is showing signs of wear?

After reading the introduction, I came to the conclusion that the "dominant paradigm " that is showing signs of wear is how in most scenarios, the textbook is still the main resource in the classroom. While there have been many advancements for a technically inspired advanced future, the text book still manages to remain one of the main resources.

2. According to the research, how does Project-Based Learning support student learning better than traditional approaches? Describe three benefits and cite the studies.

My host teacher talks about Project Based Learning or PBL all of the time. PBL is designed to target students communication skills and help them learn about material by providing more critically involved work rather than just worksheets or reading from a textbook. PBL knocks away the traditional classroom cliche and provides the classroom with a more functional, creative way of understanding and educating. Project based learning allows students to experience more time with technology and leads to higher thinking skills. (Bransford, Brown, & Cocking, 1999// Bransford & Donovan, 2005) Project based learning also opens the door to the real world and allows for confidence in the involvement for the students.(Newman, 1996)

3. According to the research, how does Problem-Based Learning support student learning better than traditional approaches? Describe three benefits and cite the studies.

Problem based learning can help teachers and student apply knowledge and content material in the classroom more effectively which results in solving problems and gaining knowledge throughout the process. (Darling-Hammond & Hammerness, 2002)

4. According to the research, how does Learning by Design support student learning better than traditional approaches? Describe three benefits and cite the studies.

Newstetter states that learning by design allows students to take on responsibility as well as having various jobs creating, assessing, and designing their own work. This allows students to generate their own ideas and improve their critical thinking skills.

5. What are the differences between the three approaches?

Each approach is different in it's own unique way.Project based learning helps students learn to work together and rely upon one another to complete a project while learning by design allows students to hold their own jobs but still managing to collaborate with other students. Problem based learning is showing the students a problematic situation and having them go through a step by step process in order to solve the problem and they learn along the way.

6. In your opinion, what is the most important benefit to learning that is common across the three types of inquiry-based learning approaches?

Personally, I like project based learning as I feel it is the most unique. I feel that when students have the opportunity to be creative in their work that they tend to appreciate and accept the material on a higher level.

Edutopia. (n.d.). Teaching for meaningful learning. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/pdfs/edutopia-teaching-for-meaningful-learning.pdf