Project+Statement

The Native American History project is a great way for students to collaborate with students in different areas of the United States via blogs or wikis while meeting 3rd grade standards. For this project, students would have to research how natural resources in their area influenced the lifestyle and culture of Native Americans, then share that information with other students via a blog or wiki. Once all information had been shared, student can compare and contrast these groups. This project would help students in their lives outside of school by giving them a foundation of research and communication through technology. I feel this project would be beneficial because, as stated by Januszewski & Molenda, learning would be “controlled and owned by learners” (2008). Students will be active members of a learning community in which the final comparison depends on the contribution of each
 * Project Statement **
 * Briefly describe your proposed project. **

**How will you improve learner performance by engaging learners in authentic experiences**? Learner performance will be improved because students will be in charge of their learning. Communicating through blogs with other students similar in age will motivate and engage students. Students will use the internet as a research resource to gather and share information and knowledge about the content.

Students will be engaged in authentic real-world research. Their experiences in the project will help develop their understanding og Native American History as the research is reflected off of their individual schemas. This constructivist approach will allow the students to develop their own authentic experiences built from what they already possess. In order to facilitate learning, teachers could create a webquest. This would include websites for research. Information found during research would be posted on the class blog. Students could be required to post questions and responses on the blogs. Students will be encouraged to build knowledge based on their individual schemas (the knowledge and experience they possess as they begin the project). As the students gain knowledge they will build on the schema and begin to have individualized interpretations of the content. Students will be guided by a rubric and the teachers will act as facilitators rather then lecturers.
 * How will you facilitate learning through constructivist, collaborative learning experiences? **

Prior to introducing the unit, instructors should research and evaluate websites for credibility. Students will be exposed to a variety of technological tools with varying degrees of learning curves. Students will be encouraged to use new technologies that are introduced to them.
 * How will you create sound instructional materials and learning environments that are based on solid research and learning theory? **

Instructors should model expectations for the use of and communication through the project blog. Students will be exposed to a variety of onlines tools and will be encouraged to use them during completion of the project, however students will not be limited to the use of the technologies discussed. Although the teachers will introduce, monitor, and evaluate the project, they will be facilitators in the project; this is a student-centered project. Teachers will be ensure students possess the necessary skills to use the technologies as well as ensuring students are making progress toward their goal (completion of the project). The instructor must have a management plan in place prior to the beginning of the project in order for it to be successful. Students should be aware of this plan and rituals and routines set.
 * How will you facilitate the use of innovations through the diffusion and integration of new technologies and technological experiences for your learners? **
 * How will you most effectively manage this process? **

It is imperative that students understand how to navigate and communicate on the internet both safely and ethically. Teachers will need to ensure that every student is aware of these considerations. Students will need to repsond on the progress of those in their collaborative team as well as answering ethical questions about their project to ensure integrity and equity of responsibilities. Instructors at all schools involved must collaborate while planning this project. Creation of a webquest will give instructors the opportunity to ensure that students are researching credible sites. Instructors must closely monitor student behavior throughout the project.
 * What ethical considerations will you make to ensure sound decisions are made? **

Students should have access to computers and the internet; computers will be to have an internet browser and and a word processor. Students will not limited by the resources discussed. The teacher will set up the class blog. Laptops and handheld devices (if available) will be useful.
 * What processes and resources will you include? **


 * Describe the learning environment and population that will be engaged in your project: **
 * //Audience//: Students involved in this project will be 3rd graders at several schools throughout the United States.
 * //Learner characteristics//: Class 1: 3rd grade, 18 students /Class 2: 3rd grade, 15 students
 * //Anticipated entry-level skills of audience:// Class 1:Intermediate computer skills/Class 2: Intermediate computer skills
 * //School environment//: Class 1 is located in a low Title 1 school in a rural area. Many of the students come from families with only one working parent and receive free or reduced meals. There are approximately 450 students in the school./Class 2 is located in a Title 1 school in a suburban area. Sixty percent of students receive free or reduced meals. The student population is approximately 505.
 * // Support for project by community, parents, or administrators: // Parents will be encouraged to help students will research strategies and providing students with access to resources, however they will also be encouraged to take on the role of facilitators to allow the stage to have an authentic experience. Administrators will be encouraged to observe the students to provide encouragement and support as well as providing constructive feedback. Community support: The classes will host a Native American Expo inviting participates from the community and native american historians to share their know with the students.