Reading+&+Reflection+3

Article Review  Tina Thomas  November 10, 2010  EDUC 699

BIBLIOGRAPY

Cogan-Drew, D. (2010, February 18). eLearn: Feature Article. eLearn Magazine: Education and Technology in Perspective. Retrieved November 10, 2010, from http://www.elearnmag.org/subpage.cfm?section=articles&article=113-1.

SUMMARY

Dan Cogan-Drew wrote this article to describe a new millennium in education. Education is going from a "drill and kill" to a more project-based approach. There is more emphasis on the process or input and less emphasis on the outcome. Once educators see different project ideas, their question goes from, "Why would I want my students to do that?" to "How do I get my students to do that?" The only problem that Dan argues is teachers do not have "local library" to fill in the gaps between the real and virtual tasks. He thinks we need to create an online portfolio of student work to show recognition, assessment, student engagement, reflection, and intellectual growth. This way we can showcase the student work they produce weather it is a game, podcast, video advertisement, or power-point. He mentions a web-based software package called Expression Engine, used in Connecticut, in order to do this. Using this software teachers and students from all over the world can review and give feedback. This will give more focus on recognizing student achievement in the process and not only in the product. Students will then be able to "document and share" information in this digital age.

REFLECTION

I think this is a wonderful idea. I would love to have each of my students develop an online portfolio showcases all of their projects designed in class. They would be able to link to the web from home to show family members or friends everything they are doing in class. This could include lab write-ups or any online projects that they create. This means family members, friends, or even students from other schools all around the world can share what they are learning about in class. This brings in the 21st Century Skills of Global Literacy, Communication, Collaboration, Creativity, and Critical Thinking just to name a few. I want to look into this program or maybe a program like this one!