EDUC 6712 Reflection

Throughout this course we have been challenged to develop lessons and units that push our students into the seat of creator as oppossed to being mere consumers. These units and lessons continue to address content standards and culminate in tradional assessment techniques but require much more student interaction throughout the process. Like other reviews of teaching practices this type of project can add new ideas and interesting delivery options to the classroom. To be honest the inquiry project idea is a re-hash of tried and true methodologies. In recent years there has been a republishing of prediction sheets and KWL charts and other more traditional literacy skills. The inquiry project as delivered in this course takes many of the same concepts and infuses the use of computers. While it is true that students tend to be visual consumers on information on websites the tasks of being committed and engaged readers stays consistent no matter what the medium is.

From this point on the inquiry based project solidifies the need to teach literacy skills and ensure that students are actively engaged in all aspects of the learning process. I am skeptical that this type of project will boost the achievement of my students. Being an educator that gets innunated with new teaching strategies and best practices I need to be critically aware of the impact that these ideas will have on my students. At times ideas such as the inquiry based project seem like they are created by people who have spent time outside of the classroom in research areas. The translation does not always occur. The inquiry based project is not apporpriate for all grade levels and all disciplines. For that reason the concept seems limited. This project seems to be one that requires specific skills from educators in order to have complete success. Ultimately this project type needs to be attempted in the classroom and the final determination can be made with empirical evidence.

Through the reading of educational material in journals, magazines, and online sites I would like to hear the oppossing viewpoints about this type of project. I become concerned when I am presented with one side of an issue and expected to agree completely with it. While looking for the alternate viewpoint I would like to find other strategies that can meet the goal of teaching these so called new literacy skills. If these new skills are so vital (as the course contends) there must be other strategies that address them.

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