Double Entry Journal #15

1. Give an example of an authentic form of assessment the students engaged in a PBL performed well on? An example of an authentic form of assessment would be when they reflect upon what they did in the Project Based Learning activity. Self-evaluation and reflection are two forms of assessment that students encounter. When they enter the real world they will take these skills to judge their performance and better themselves.

2. How does project based learning promote intrinsic motivation? Project Base Learning activities promote intrinsic motivation by allowing the students to develop their own interests and learn at their own levels. By allowing them to choose what they will work on this opens up the doors of motivation. They will be more prone to work harder on something they feel strongly about learning.

3. What do students who experience PBL do better than student who receives traditional direct instruction? Students who experience PBL do better than students who receive traditional instruction for many different reasons. Their self-esteem is raised because they feel l like they completed something valuable to the community. It increases intrinsic motivation, confidence, and self-evaluation skills. It helps them become more aware of their strengths and weaknesses. It opens up the doors of communication between the students and teacher. It allows them to get to see their peer’s point of view and understand other people’s perspective better. It also helps them become critical thinkers and problem solvers.

4. How does PBL align with John Dewey's philosophy of education? John Dewey believed that learning was active. Problem and Project Based learning activities exactly that; an active l earning experience. His idea was to help students learn skills that made them better citizens in the community. These PBLs teach the students skills that can be taken into the real world.

5. Why do our assessment practices need to change if we are going to prepare students for the 21st century? Practices need to change because the way we are teaching our children is changing. If we are preparing them for these skills there needs to be a new way of evaluating their progress.