Wicked Part B

1. What is the TP knowledge for the solution?  (i.e., how does the technology you have chosen support the teaching strategies and methods you have chosen?)

I think the "Virtual backpack" supports my strategies as it gives students a start into getting organized.  It is important to be organized with PBL as students need to know how to start, where to save, and then how to present.  Having these "tools" will give students a set way to do future projects and to keep organized.

Schoology is another tool for students and for me to know exactly what is due, when it is due, different resources that they can use and post, blog about problems and questions, and (for me) I will know when students turn in assignments.  So this tool will put everything in ONE spot so students are not confused as to where to go.  This helps me as well because I can keep everything in ONE spot and I also like the blog feature for students to ask questions.

The different presentation tools support my PBL as they give students choices.  Not every student can do a Prezi or a Glogster, but it does give them a choice and in some cases they will learn a new tool.

2. What is the TC knowledge for the solution? (i.e., how specifically does this technology make the content in your problem more intellectually accessible?  Be sure to think about representation.)

I think the different technologies I am using make PBL more intellectually accessible by keeping students organized. Organization is key to a good project...the virtual backpack is just a tool to help them do this.  Getting in the habit is just part of the solution. Schoology lets students post links to different sites.  This gives them a chance to post items they think are important to the rest of the class.  This makes students think about what they are posting and they need to make sure it is something that others can use. I also think that the blogging part of schoology is good for students.  They know that everyone can see the posts so they are more apt to really think about what they are posting and how it sounds.  The final projects with PBL need to be in some kind of presentation format.  The different presentation tools forces students to really think about HOW they want to present and evaluate what they want to do for that.  I think the different choices allows students to be creative and when these projects are presented they need critical thinking skills on the best way to do this.

1. What is the PC knowledge for the solution? (i.e., how specifically do your pedagogical choices make the content in your problem more intellectually accessible?) Be sure to think about how the student will experience the content given these instructional strategies.

One of my problems in class is that I know students are not reading the novels I assign.  It is just so easy for them to find the information on the internet without really reading.  With my implementation of PBL students are given choices and therefore are forced to really read the material in order to create quality projects.  Students can also go more in depth with the information and I think are more likely to pursue  interests.  I think by doing projects this way promotes learning and curiosity with the subject matter.  With PBL students will create their own experience.  They are following what they want to read/learn and this motivates them to keep going with the different projects.  They are more apt to go more in-depth and in different angles.  They will also take more pride in the outcome of the projects when allowed to chose the material.