In week four of this course, my middle school Science Class completed an assignment based on the importance of our ecosystem using the playground and the Local U of A desert lab for comparing and contrasting living and non-living organisms in the city, as well as in the desert. Learners were paired into groups of four each having an individual job to for-fill including:
· Gathering information
· Collecting specimens
· Daily Observation
· Internet Research including Multi-media and Visual aids
The purpose of this experiment was not only for learners to understand the importance of our ecosystem and how we play a major role in our planet’s survival; but also to deliver awareness through 21st Century Inquiry Learning where students actually teach themselves through real world experiences.
The primary goals for my learners were based upon understanding how the ecosystem works. As the facilitator, my duties were to provide the necessary tools needed to begin the lesson; then by allowing my learners to work together in groups, relating innovative ideas back and forth to create a foundation towards completing the lesson or project. In this regard, the lesson was a success and goals were exceeded. Each group developed strengths as the week passed by displaying more interest as they were able to see the big picture through Internet research, discussing real issues in the neighborhood, and collecting samples in and around the tree.
Our technology in the school is a slow working process with daily improvement, as learners are now receiving personal class laptops to assist with the process of 21st Century thinking. During this project we had very little Internet access being shared with my laptop; each group had a different day to work on research after we had completed taking samples and daily observation of the trees in our playground. The U of A desert-lab visit, we had no computer research time, but samples were taken. Each group spent the remainder of their class time making log entries though observation. This week was different as our first classroom received personal laptops for each learner. It really seems “A day late and dollar short,” however, it’s never too late with education in my opinion; and the computers may not have been there for this time, but the future is filled with possibilities.
In hind site I would definitely have a different avenue or approach in regards to the Internet Research aspect of the project. For future references, I will schedule computer time in advance from the library, for each class. I think this would allow each class the proper time and research to complete the necessary information through proper resource. This would assist in creative learning within each class and group. The learning process for backward design was helpful in allowing my learners to think outside the box. Each group gave an honest effort in finishing exceptional projects. We have three days left to complete the presentation through PowerPoint and Visual aid, and so far the bar has been set through each group and presentation. We were unable to take pictures for this project however, below are a few pictures of what our experiment entailed.
Resources
Tillery B, W., Enger E, D., Ross F, C., Integrated Science Fourth Edition 2008 Laureate Education.
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