GQ2

I believe in using technology to plan and design learning environments for students. My philosophy of project-based learning and working with the community fosters that collaboration. One of the projects my students have taken on is the creation of a [|National Association of Home Builders Student Chapter]. Two schools are currently involved in this project, with three more schools expressing interest to join. Our students meet in person once or twice a month to do team building and leadership activities and also build dog houses, picnic tables and small sheds. In between their meetings the students work in small groups or individually in an e-learning environment via [|eschool builder] to plan the design, purchasing and supplies for the projects. In addition, students are also researching careers in the CIMRA career ladder utilizing [|Department of Labor] market information so that they may make informed decisions regarding their future.
 * USING TECHNOLOGY TO DESIGN LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS**

Another project that students are working on is in collaboration with the [|Willimantic Whitewater Partnership]. During this past summer students collected and analyzed data regarding the history and the flora and fauna of the area surrounding the Willimantic River. The students created a PowerPoint slide show and presented it to the WWP executive committee so they may use it for their planning and marketing of the trails. In addition students used GPS tools to measure distance and create trail markers along the [|East Coast Greenway] so that this trail may be better utilized by the public. Students will continue to landscape, research and present their data to the WWP in future summer internship opportunities.

Incorporated into all of my project-based learning opportunities are [|Adventure Education] activities for students to learn team building, problem solving and leadership skills. These important skills compliment the technological and academic aptitudes to increase their core employability skills. The state of Connecticut [|School] to Career program lists eight career clusters, and within each of these, technology and project-based learning can be incorporated. Students who complete project-based learning activities can be more involved in and have a wider variety of [|evaluation tools].

By involving the community, I feel that I am able to capitalize on resources to aid in teaching students. I work closely with area organizations to provide student internships, many in the area of technology. One student intern is creating visuals for the [|Windham AIDS Program], another has worked at the Information Technology Department at Windham Hospital. By coordinating with area workplace mentors, we can provide a technology rich learning environment for our high school students.

According to the [|National Education Technology Plan] students state that they want to utilize technology. I feel that integrating technology in project-based learning meets their diverse needs and learning styles. Students are able to problem solve, collaborate, use critical thinking skills, make complex decisions and discover solutions to real world problems through internships and [|project-based learning]. Finally, research states that portfolios are a powerful tool for displaying accomplishments in a student’s learning, and are a good means of collecting authentic performance assessments. [|Electronic portfolios] add to that in their accessibility. They allow for educators to share data, parents to look online at their child’s work and students to take ownership of their learning.