Contecpt Attainment Stradegy

Here is the quiz I created. I was going off of my undergraduate project where I developed quizzes, meal options, and a self weighing pamphlet for a elementary school.

Rubric Examples

So, I had to make some changes to the project bases lesson plan I was working on and now it is a problem based learning plan. Here is a quick summary: I am teaching a college level exercise physiology lab class. For the 14 week semester, the first 6 weeks will be spent on lecture and practice on the exercise testing equipment in the lab. During the next 6 weeks the students will be in groups of 3-4 and create two experimental questions. The will provide 5 research articles on their question and complete an experiment in the lab to answer their question. They will present their findings during the last two weeks of class using web tools.
Here are some rubrics I am working on for this PBL plan.

Project based learning ideas for my "class"

I decided to pretend that I am teaching an exercise physiology lab class. Along with learning the different machines and test that my lab is capable of, here are a few ideas for student projects.

Creating time lines for your students

I have had teachers that assign research projects and create time lines and due dates for the different parts of the project. I think that this had both good and bad results.

For the unorganized and procrastinating students, creating a form of organization for them may be a good thing. It may seem to them like you are giving them more assignments to complete over time but they will be happier when it comes to the night before the project is due and they have a lot of it done. I would also help give students a sense of grade level as they complete different parts of the project. Feedback from the teacher would be very valuable.

For the high achieving and organized student, they might be practicing setting up time lines for their major projects anyway. If they have the technology at home and feel that they understand the assignment, they may work ahead of necessary. This would not be a bad thing unless requirements for the project change and they have to redo their work.

I think that setting time lines where different parts of the project are due and graded at different times are good for k-12 students. If I was teaching a college level class I may post a suggested time line for major projects but ultimately it would be up to the student to pace themselves.

Argument against PBL

In "The Case for PBL" chapter I looked at question 2 and discussed the question:

How do we standardize measurments of understanding using PBL?

Read my thoughts here.

Inquiry: How to implement inquiry based learning?

I think inquiry based learning is important in schools today. I don't have any questions on that, as long as standards are still being met. I searched the seven questions for of the how are you to effectively bring inquiry based learning (IBL) into the schools and more specifically into your classroom. I think it smart to think about all the different people and organizations that have to go into making IBL possible. The systematic alignment model shows how it is not just up to the teachers. The school administrators have to back up the programs as far as producing a standardized education and the parents have to be able to work with their kids.
I looked at the "How do I use IBL with other educational techniques?" question and read about how it can be used with "multipule-inteligence work" and "cooperatitive and collaborative learning" and "constructivism". These are all good ideas to me but I feel like they are saying the same thing. Teachers, admisistrators and parents alike are wanting their students to learn how to problem solve. This is important when it comes to higher education and the job force, I just do not understande the differences (if any) between all the terminology out there.

web 2.0 - using iStats

From the web 2.0 site I looked at the iStats application and thought it would be a useful tool when combined with the Prepare-Present-Process strategy. I work a lot in fitness and I like to use tools that work with the science aspect of fitness. As an exercise physiologist you use tests and numbers and assessments to define fitness. Without numbers and expected parameters, fitness levels are just estimates.
A student could prepare a specific work out or fitness plan and then test it. The iStats application would be a great way to track your results and present the data to a class. Being able to use the application means that the student has worked through Bloom's taxonomy into the synthesis stage. They had to know, understand, and use exerise physiology terms, apply them into the program, and be able to interpret their results. During their presentation to the class they will have to evaluate the program that they tested and explain in terms of iStats weather or not their fitness program is vaild.
As far as the iStats application on its own, it is a work in progress. They are trying to create a community of online health nuts to chat and discuss work outs, upcoming events around the country, and progress. I think it is a good idea but the website needs a lot of work because it is hard to navigate.