Reflection 5, Mitch Baidinger

I viewed the video Geometry in the Real World: Students as Architects. It can be found at http://www.edutopia.org/video/movie.php?reset=cookie&keyword=037&id=Art_909. This video covers a geometry class at Mount Lake Terrace High School. This class, taught by Eeva Reeder, has a very unique "project based" approach to learning. The last six weeks of this class the students work on a group project. Their goal is to design a high school that is appropriate for the year 2050. The students have to use previously learned geometry concepts and ideas to find the most effecient and creative architectual structure that will fit the geographic area they are given. After 5 weeks, the groups then present their project to the class and two professional architects. These architects then choose the winners. I observed two different technologies being used in this video. First, was the student-centered usage of computers. Using the program Computer-assisted design (CAD), the students were able to graph and express different geographic designs. Second, in a more teacher-centered technology, the two architects used an overhead to display and analyze different architectual designs to the class. I think that the technology in the video absolutely helps the students become more engaged with the lesson. They would never have been able to do this project as quickly if they did not have computers. Also, the architects could keep them interested by quickly changing pictures and providing the students visuals. I think the teacher would have to make a lot of preparations to use this program. She would have to be well trained in using the program so that she could help the students with any problems. She would also have to prepare the students to know how to work the program before she launched the project. In order to assess the students in this project I think you would have to have a very diverse rubric as in the video. I think a lot of emphasis should be placed on effort and self reflection because the students should not be penalized if they try hard but lack creativity. The advantages of the technology is expression. With computers, the students can represent their ideas much clearer and more efficiently. The only challenge that would be present would simply be learning how to use these tools. Also, the teacher would have to be careful to make sure that students are not too reliant on computers and can come up with their own ideas.