Five-Year-Olds Drive Their Own PBL Projects

Submitted by Frances Nugent (not verified) on July 14, 2008 - 09:11.

I thought this was wonderful, the students were all actively engaged. I loved how the teacher tied all of the activities to learning, it makes writing so much more meaningful for the students. Also the use of the smart boards is so beneficial to these students. I know that my students love them it does add real value to your lessons making them hands-on.

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Project-based learning in early childhood education

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on May 26, 2008 - 11:16.

I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!! This is too cool! I want to come to this school as a student. I know I would have an awesome learning experiencnes and really learn and remember everything that I learn :)

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Amazing!

Submitted by Jane (not verified) on February 17, 2008 - 08:58.

This school is absolutely amazing! I love how they came up with a theme, visit it in real life and then recreate it in the classroom. I was so impressed with the conveyer belt, instument controls for the cockpit of a plane, how they set the kids up as though they were passengers in the plane... complete with seatbelts! It was great. The use of smartboards in the classroom makes the Internet accessible for the kids in their searches. Very academically stimulating for their students. Staff development would be critical at this school so that all teachers would be "on board" with the curriculum and also the technology used in the classroom.

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Life-long learning and engaged students

Submitted by Otilia Martiniuc (not verified) on February 16, 2008 - 15:53.

I am very impressed with the strategies used to integrate life-long lessons and life skills in curriculum and how it was arranged such that children get standardized lessons along with life skills and be enagaged the whole time.

The one thing that really got my attention was the lesson on the whiteboard-the difference between the letters "b" and "d". It was done in a way that allows children to visually see the difference in the letters. When students begint to learn the letters of the alphabet, it is very common for them to mix up "b" and "d", and what a great way to show them how they are different. It was visually and physically engaging and having technology as a resource to do that made it even better.

The idea to get students engaged by doing projects that link the students to their real world is fabulous and effective. What a great way to bring the real world into the school setting! The way the projects were set up really gave students ownership of and engagement in their own learning. As with anything in life, as people, I think we tend to remember something and connect with it when meaning is involved. If it means something and if there is a purpose, we remember and connect to it. The same goes for the students in Auburn. Their projects mean something and have a purpose, so they are engaged and fully involved.

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Interesting thematic and tech integration

Submitted by Barbara R (not verified) on February 14, 2008 - 07:28.

How great to see the children involved in projects relevant to their interests using all the many resources available to them. The teaching staff also seems very enthusiastic. I wonder how they plan curriculum together and correlate for transitions.
I also noticed that the classes seem small and that there may have been more than one adult in the classrooms to assist the students.
Some of the teachers seemed to use colloquial speaking patterns and were not always modeling Standard English. I couldn't tell too much how the children spoke in comparison. I wonder about their philosophy of language teaching and which patterns they emphasize: local, standard English, or cultural, and in what context.

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WOW

Submitted by Sandy (not verified) on November 27, 2007 - 14:51.

This was more than worth the nine minutes it took to watch the video. I was so very impressed to see the technology used in kindergarten. More importantly, I was happy to see how teachers made learning relevant and how students were being taught how to learn and find information!

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I graduated from Auburn in

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on November 12, 2007 - 10:31.

I graduated from Auburn in '93 with a degree in early childhood. I'm not sure if this is the same school I did my practicum at or not, but it is certainly very similar. (Seems a lot bigger, though.) I have been teaching for 14 years now. I am enrolled in a course to learn about integrating technology into the classroom. One of my assignments was to watch this video. I was soooo excited to see my Alma Mater! There are lots of gator fans in my technology class. I'm sure I won't rub it in too much!!! War Eagle! Keep up the amazing work!!

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school

Submitted by Lisa (not verified) on November 10, 2007 - 09:37.

Very Impressed that Auburn Alabama has this technology and the students are more advanced in their thinking process. In Florida we lack this technology and the students have not reached this goal yet. They are still under Behavioral learning theory.

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I love this idea. I remember

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on November 6, 2007 - 08:24.

I love this idea. I remember when i went to Auburn Early Ed. Center or AEEC. We flew to mexico, and i can see how they have improved the "trip" proccess. I am glad to be apart of such a wonderful school system. We also have a 21st century learning program. This allows every 9th grade student have there own personal tablet laptop.

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Project based learning

Submitted by Jennifer (not verified) on September 29, 2007 - 10:37.

What a fabulous find! Our building is currently focused on integrating student-led, project based learning into all grade levels. Our kindergarten teacher has struggled with how to implement this style of learning into her classroom of 5 year olds. I will definitely be sharing this video segment with her on Monday!

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