Article Review #5: Challenge Based Learning

Article Review #5
Emma Drury
Challenge Based Learning: Take action and make a difference (apple)


First off I really agree with how the article starts with saying that in high school many of the projects we do are uninspired and are just to get a letter grade. I know with most of my work in high school, unless it was something I was already passionate about (and sometimes even then) I would put just enough effort into whatever the assignment was to get an A and that was that. It didn't increase my learning, it didn't help me create new or improve my creativity, problem solving skills, social skills or any other skills.

As I was reading more about the components and key features of challenge based learning, the more I found it interesting. I think that there are some really great ideas for engaging learning and students. But something that I always wonder is if I were to have been given one of these tasks in high school, would it have increased my learning or peaked my interest or would I have just seen it as more work and annoying?

As for the general set up of a challenge based learning activity, I think that they really hit a lot of the important things that would be needed to make these work. I feel starting off especially with having a workspace that the students can access 24/7 is vital, I know that during project nothing stresses me out more then not having access to what I need when I want it or having to worry about getting what I need before the library (for example) closes. I also feel that the set up is detailed enough to support all students through the process and keep things moving, anyone could follow this design and implement it in their classrooms, if they had the resources avalible. Another feature of this type of learning that I thought was really great was the fact that it does mirror real life, you are working towards a project, you are using multiple skills in many disciplines as well as having to work in groups. These are all skills that you'll be using after high school and especially after college. Outside of academia you aren't working towards a good grade or a pass, and you don't get to move on to all new things after 10 weeks, so giving students a new way to think about learning and approach it is a great idea.

Overall I'm excited to learn more about this type of learning and maybe get a chance in the future to use it in a classroom or some extent of this. It reminds me a lot of the project approach to learning that is used a lot in early childhood classrooms. Which is a lot like this, not so much as solving a problem but learning about something through mostly self motivated learning, multiple disciplines, and with groups.

Article Review #4: iPad for Literacy Learning

Article Review #4

Emma Drury

IPAD for Literacy Learning by Amy Hutchinson, Beth Beschorner and Denise Schmitdt-Crawford

I think this is a very interesting article and topic. I know that I have had a lot of interest in the pros and cons of usage of technology such as the iPad in classrooms. I think my problem comes from using it almost exclusively in classrooms or when working with students. 

Like the article starts off saying stating that iPads as a use for new modes of reading and writing, which is interesting and a good use of that but I also think that its important to remember that and make sure to still use printed text, as it is still used a lot and a skill students should still be learning.

I can definitely see the great possibilities for learning that come from using different apps on the iPad or other similar devices. I like the applications where they can have more interaction with pictures and with the story then you can with printed texts. And as the article says iPads and tablets let students interact with technology and these programs without having to be in a computer lab or that type of setting which can be off putting to some students.

Overall I really liked the article. I liked how in depth they went into on the activities and talked to the students about how they felt about them. I enjoyed hearing the students talk about how they liked how they could erase things more easier and how they would do/try more things on the iPad then they would have done if they were really using papers and crayons for example.

But what I really also appreciated was that at the end they took some time to say that iPads aren't good for all types of literacy activities and lessons. I think sometimes we get so excited about new technology and new things that we want to use them all the time without really considering if it's the best option for the students. Sometimes it is the best option, if you have the right application/programs and if you understand them. But sometimes it doesn't increase student learning and doesn't help them as much as it advertises it does or we think it might. It's an interesting thing that we will have to deal with as teachers that teachers before us didn't have to. I think I'll probably have to invest more in learning about the different programs that I could use in special education for early childhood, because I tend to try to use things that are low technology and can be easily found in the environment because I'm thinking about working with low income/at risk families which wouldn't have this type of technology. But it still something i'll interact with at some point and should get more involved in.