Chapter 8

Abby Harrop

EDT

Chapter 8

1. Ways students can branch out of the classroom is by connecting outside the classroom. Perhaps students can consult with experts to learn more about a topic, they can communicate with other classes doing a similar project in America, or they could even communicate with people beyond this country to other countries. That way they will be more proficient with working in a culturally diverse world. Students will learn more about themselves, other people, and become experts on topics themselves.

2. EAST is a non-profit organization, which works with public and private partners to achieve its mission. There are four parts to EAST:

            a. Student-driven learning: Students need to be responsible for their own learning.

            b. Authentic project-based learning: Students should be engaged in solving real   problems in their communities.

            c. Technology as tools: Students need access to the relevant technologies that professionals use to solve real problems.

            d. Collaboration: When students collaborate in teams to pursue authentic projects, they accomplish more than any one person can do in isolation.

3. Reasons why students should lead their projects is because if they have that responsibility to first pick their topic, they are likely to create a project that they truly care about and are invested in rather than just doing what they are told to do. The teacher does not have to micromanage each project but can just ask, “what are you passionate about?” The students will learn for themselves and perhaps do more research than they typically would on a project because they are interested in it. This way the teacher can let students lead themselves but be there for support and when needed.

4. This relates to our project in that we have been branching out; we have been looking at different articles, looking at a school we could have our students write letters too, and are constantly keeping in mind what resources we can use to branch out and find more information. In our project we are having students themselves branch out and think of different speakers to invite to speak at our healthy retreat, whether that be doctors, an athlete, a yoga instructor, chef, dietician, etc.