Task_3-6 Reflection

1. Why is it important to use teams in PBL?
It's important to use teams in PBL (Problem-Based Learning) because PBL is all about strategizing on solutions to a problem. As a group, you'll perhaps learn new ideas from peers and vice versa.


2. What are some of the problems you see in student teams?
I think one of the biggest problems in teams is communication. Lack of communication causes chaos and confusion.

3. What strategies can you use to manage conflict in student teams?
I think a great strategy is of course is for the instructor to layout the expectations for the class in the beginning of the school year. By doing so, all students know what's expected of them.
Another great tool we used in our group is creating a schedule where we evenly assigned tasks for each group member. By doing this, there was no question on who the facilitator was for the week.
Finally, communication is a huge factor in avoiding conflict. As long as members are communicating, we know we're on the same page and everyone is willing to accomodate one another.

4. Did the group have any questions or problems this week?
The Panda's had no problems or questions this week.

WEEK #15 TEAMWORK

                        

"The "Martyr" is quick to point out that he has had to do much more than everyone else on the team because no one else seems to be taking his/her part seriously.  His work schedule is "unique" and his commitment unusual."


After putting our ideas together, we believe in order to get across to a "Martyr" and avoid conflict, we should follow these practices:

Positive Communication: Keep the atmosphere from becoming negative. Communicate with the martyr that way the student knows you're willing to listen to what they have to say. By doing so, the martyr will know they're being heard and it helps build a trust between you and the student.

Scheduling: Create a group schedule ASAP that shows assignments and tasks have been distributed evenly. By doing so, it shows that each group member has a role.

Group Feedback: By providing weekly group feedback, this not just makes the instructor aware of what each student is contributing, but it also shows each student how accountable they are to their group. 

In conclusion, we believe that positive communication, scheduled tasks, and group feedback should help avoid conflict amongst group members, and specifically a "Martyr". As long as the instructor makes the group work guidelines clear at the start of class, he's in touch with what's going on, and steps in when he feels the need to do so, then it'll avoid any conflict amongst group members.

Task_3-5 Reflection

1. What ideas have you contributed to your team this week?
For this week, I assumed the assignment was just piecing all information we had together so I didn't do my part in anything. Sorry Team!

2. What role did you play on your team this week?
I'll be honest and say I had no part in the assignment.


3. How did you encourage and support your team members this week?
We're always pushing one another...since it's down to the final week.. we're all pretty much reminding everyone we're almost to the home stretch.


4. Did the group have any problems or questions this week?
For me, I felt this week we had a rough start. Thanks to Kortnee for taking the initiative again.

Task_3-4 Reflection

1. What ideas have you contributed to your team this week?
I was the team leader this week. I was able to research some resources about Authentic Assessment.

2. What role did you play on your team this week?
I was the team leader for "Authentic Assessment"

3. How did you encourage and support your team members this week?
Working in a group is a difficult task, however our group has managed to encourage and support one another week after week. This week,I just told my teammates not to sweat if they feel they haven't contributed enough or has been busy. We have great communication, which has been key to our success.

4. Did the group have any questions or problems this week?
I don't think we had any problems or questions this week.

Task _ 3-3 Reflection

What ideas have you contributed to your team this week?
I was unable to meet with the group on typewithme so I emailed Landa on SLO's that I could think of (I hope she received it).

What role did you play on your team this week?
My role was the facilitator this week.

How did you encourage and support your team members this week?
We've all come to the conclusion that group work is definitely a difficult task but we've managed to encourage one another that we're near the finish line and we can do it.

Did the group have any questions or problems this week?
Our group has great chemistry. I don't think there were any problems other than getting a late start at our assignment.

Week #12 Current_Event

             

Teacher, Steve Lai is a guitar tutor from Richmond, BC, Canada who incorporated skitch as a teaching tool to "create colorful, interactive visuals that help students learn." Mr. Lai teaches French to 6-10 year olds as a second language at Richmond Christian School, in addition he also teaches children how to play the guitar.
Mr. Lai uses the app skitch as a different way to teach French and guitar that engages his young students.
                                                                 
                                



There are tons of possibilities when using skitch on an i pad, such as the example above while teaching French. In this classroom, Mr. Lai takes pictures of images pertaining to words or categories such as colors, clothing, and diagrams of the body. He then hooks up his i pad to a projector for the class to see. Skitch is used to annotate the image and for the whole class to participate on what's going on. For example, as shown in the picture above Mr. Lai will color a pair of pants, draw an arrow, and ask students to name the color in French. To make the lesson even more enjoyable for the kids, Mr. Lai takes pictures of willing staff and teachers at the school where students are able to draw funny hair and silly clothes on them.

                                            

Another example how skitch is used for the French language instruction is for illustrating motion as seen in the picture above. Mr. Lai's school uses the Accelerated Integrated Method which is similar to sign language. So Mr.Lai takes a picture of himself that way the students are able to see a visual of what is being taught. He does the same thing for his guitar lessons. He takes pictures of where he places his fingers on the guitar and also labels them that way students can visually see where they need to place their fingers.

Mr. Lai finds that skitch is not just a fun app for the students to work with at school, but they can also explore it at home. What's great is any artwork done on skitch, Mr. Lai is able to post it onto his blog where parents are able to see their child's artwork and also use it as a communication tool. It's always exciting for students to do away from the traditional paper and book to have the opportunity to work with i pads and the different apps available.

http://blog.evernote.com/tag/education/

Task_3-2 Reflection

                                                                                
                      What roles did the members of your team have this week?
Like every week, our team does a great job communicating. We researched information regarding our topic for this week.

                      Given your role in the group this week, how did you contribute to the group?
I was on Kauai this week, so I was afraid I wouldn't be able to contribute anything. Thank goodness for Kourtney's idea to do our group assignment on typewith me. I was able to briefly go online and answer one of the questions required.

                       What worked well this week?
I believe our group works well together. We have our facilitator schedule set, and there's always someone volunteering to be the group leader for our group assignment. Typewithme is a huge asset because even if we can't all meet, whomever is able can go online and work on editing the final paper together with everyone's input.

                       What will you do differently next time?
As always, our group does a great job making it work. For me personally, I'd try to manage my time better and hope to do a better job.