When doing my PBL projects, this year, I learned a lot. I learned how to present, what steps I need to take to become a PBL learner, and that I like presenting. I was always afraid to go up in front of people and talk about what I learned. When I got up to do my first presentation I felt really good and it went by really well. I have been able to talk to people about the whole PBL process, I consider myself a PBL learner now!
*When learning how to present, I was really nervous about going up in front of people an just talking. When I did it it was so much easier than I thought. I thought, when I was done, I do know a lot, its not hard, and most of all I felt proud of myself.*
- How do you know you learned it?
When I was doing the work I had always posted or wrote notes on what I had learned. Also when I talked to experts. The experts would answer a question by asking me a question and I could answer it without my notes or posts. I felt that maybe I did learn something, I didn't need a teacher to sit with me to be able to learn, and, most importantly, I CAN DO THIS!!
- What got in the way of your learning?
To be completely honest, it would be the noise level. I do get off track very easy with a lot of noise but I put my earbuds in and I am able to get back to work pretty easy. But those are the main things that get my off track.
- What helped your learning?
Being in a quite place helped me a lot. Also having Randy or Amy there if I need to get back into my work mode. Music helps me work faster because it blocks out all of the other noises so I can stay focused.
- How did you feel about project based learning this year?
It was more focused than last year but we still have a lot to change, I think. In middle school social studies, I wish we could have picked what we wanted to do for the standard. But the main issue for me, about the PBL, is the organization. I feel that there are no set steps, dates, or anything like that. We are always asking for help or wait what are we doing, I don't get this, I wish we had more organization in PBL.
- What was your favorite project?
My favorite project this year was My Culinary Influences Project. I was able to do something that I loved and have fun doing it. I was able to create my own wiki, cook for everyone, and have so much joy in doing it! The other projects I really wasn't excited to work on them, I was happy but not at the point that I want to work on it for every minute of our PBL project. But I do love being able to pick what I want to do. Thats how I look at PBL, its what you want to do and still learn what you need to.
- Why was it your favorite project?
It was my favorite project because I was able to cook. Cooking is what I love to do and when I get to meet standards while doing what I love is a win win project. I was able to "travel" around the world by learning about food that started our food. Also I was more focused working on something I got into right away.
- How will you use what you learned this year to help you with next year’s project work?
Well, I have learned the steps, know how it works, and I have started to like it. I will be able to go out of my comfort space and do harder projects than I am wanting but will be able to do. PBL is the best way I can learn. It opens my eyes to so much more than I would be able to see in a normal school!
