Michelle Webb

Reading Reflection 8

Your students can build connections by going out and meeting experts on their topic. You could help them do this by giving your students contact information of those you know would not mind helping them. They can expand their learning by reaching out to those who are not directly in their community. They could reach out to people on the other side of the country or on the other side of the world.

The EAST Initiative Model demonstrate the usefulness of technology for a real purpose, within classrooms we can use it to help students learn to solve problems and make a difference in their communities. EAST stands for Environmental and Spatial Technologies, the national program director states, “Technology is the hook we use to get kids into significant projects, and to get communities into significantly wanting to support those projects.”

Students should lead their own projects because then they can work in a way that makes the most sense for them. They can use the technology that best fits their specific project. Students will also get more invested in their work if they feel that they have full control.

Concepts from this chapter relate to my project because we have to figure out the best way for our students to do their project. If we feel that they are comfortable enough with the technology we then have to make the decision to let them take more of a leadership role within their groups.