Module 6:
How can I help my students become self-directed learners?
I think it is important to set rules and regulations before letting students begin their own self-directed activities. Starting out with small projects and extending the requirements and expectations later on seems to work well with my age level of students. I can give them choices and let them pick what might trigger an interest for them. As their teacher, I can guide them through any help that they might need to get a good start from the beginning.

How can I support the diverse needs of learners?
It has helped to let students who are more knowledgeable in the area of technology develop and demonstrate for other students how to produce a meaningful project. They help each other and provide extended ideas within groups at times also. Students needing assistance are given more time outside of the classroom during recess or may come in early in the mornings for support. Most of the work is done in a set time allotted them, once other work is completed. Students who aren't as proficient as others are given more extended time if needed.

Module 5:
How do I assess student learning?
I make use of checklists, rubrics and timelines. Students need formative evaluations to check to see that students are learning what is required of them. Summative evaluations are also used at the completion of a project.

How do I involve students in the assessment process?
Students can make their own assessment, such as rubrics with the teacher's guidance in some instances. This helps them become more aware of required standards and the curriculum so they can see the direction they need to go and how they will be evaluated on projects they are engaged in.

Modue 4:
How can the creation of a student sample help me clarify unit expectations and improve my instructional design?

Students at 4th grade level need to see what a good project looks like and will help the student improve their own projects. I think it's important to discuss the creation or sample with students so they can internalize what they may want or expect from the individual projects thye are working on, whether it be groups or on their own
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How can I ensure students will acieve the learning objectives when creating their student projects?

As a teacher I will provide a guideline on what information students need to include in their projects and provide a checklist to keep track of information they locate and include on the project. It's important to ensure students are doing what is expected in a timely manner by monitoring groups or individuals throughout the time allotted.

Module 3:
How can I use the internet to support my teaching and students' learning?

I use several different web sites for writing activities and also skill building activities. I have students research topics of interest or required learning information. I have them do research to find missing clues in subject areas such as science and social studies and give them web pages to locate information.
I use extension activities for them to research and present to the class with a lot of my gifted students and others seem to take off from those presentations once their interest is sparked.

How can I ensure responsible and appropriate use of the internet?

Teaching good internet usage can be discussed with students and explain to them how to find a good website. Give them a list of the most common web sites that are kid friendly and safe for them to use. Teach them how to site any web pages or pictures that they may use in projects, etc.

Module 2:
How can curriculum-framing questions help support my students' learning?

Using the higher order thinking questions opens up a new avenue for learners and allows them to be more creative in finding good answers and using their own ideas to present answers within the projects given them. It also gives them an opportunity to do more extensive research.

How can I plan ongoing student centered assessment?

As students become more involved with expectations on projects, they can add to or take away on student centered assessment. Students can also use standards and expectations within their grade level to help guide them on student centered assessments. With students doing their own assessment, I believe it leads to better internalization of expectations and lets them evaluate their own learning.

Module 1:
How can projects help my students meet standards and develop 21st century learning?

I believe students enjoy more hands-on learning and learn through doing projects with others and they develop new and better ideas from others by helping each other. It expands their learning if you will. It also helps those not as proficient in technology become better prepared as 21st century learners.

How can I use projects to enhance student learning?

Give students choices or let them produce their own project using the computer. Give them the option of coming up with a topic of interest and then they will take more ownership in the project. Let students work together and have them make decisions within groups to enhance cooperative learning and skills in that area.