Project based learning and More

     The progression to teaching with a project based unit is very structured.  In the end though it always comes back to success.  To quickly run through it; access prior knowledge, investigate, expand knowledge, apply, contribute, and celebrate success.  It seems so cut and dry when it is on paper, but this process really takes a lot of time.  Each step must be successfully completed before we can move on to the next step.  What I feel is great with project based learning is that no matter what the needs of your students they can be met at the various stages.  If other students are able to move on early, that is ok.  We just must all have the completed project by the time it is due.  Some students can take longer on certain stages than others and that is ok.  That is what is so great about this type of learning.
     After watching the video on Institutions vs collaboration, I still have the question that opens the speech the best,  How do groups get anything done?  How do you put a group together so there is success instead of chaos?  The idea that one must get resources together to have success is great and I am glad there was a touch on cost.  In the real world this does cost, but in schools, we only have what is in our classroom.  We must make do with what we have.  I am also glad that the speaker talked to negative effects that institutionalizing these types of groups can be.  There can be negative groups out there, groups that base groups based on other groups, groups who base their beliefs on the negative rather than positive.  And with all of these people trying to create "support" style groups or protect the sources of their group or information, collaboration begins to take a negative turn.  When we get very large groups together, we inevitably get a negative vibe.  This goes for many and most things.  There is always someone offended or opposing.  No matter what we do with institutionalized collaboration--funded especially, we find that controversy. That in my thought, is really just to bad.
     When looking back at cooperative learning and reinforcing efforts I love that we talk about is in such depth.  I am tired of hearing teacher knock students down and wonder why they do not succeed.  Many teachers think they can say what they want whether it be positive or negative and there be little effect on that student.  That is just not the case.  When we get back to a positive reinforcement it also helps portray respect.  This will go both ways, depending on how well it is done.  The cooperative learning aspect of it is great when it comes to students reinforcing students.  When group work works, success is had and it takes a teacher to start it on the right foot.  When done correctly both of these will prove to help success in any classroom.