A Key fit for Education

Project Work : ِA Key Fit for Education

A- What is Project Work:

A project is a large task (macro-task) composed of smaller steps (micro-tasks). Each step is a task in its own  right and, as such, can be expanded or reduced. Every project should have a pre-planned beginning and an end. A project moves through three stages: Beginning in the classroom, moving out into the world, and returning to the classroom.  In few words project work bridges the gap between the theory and the practice, since there’s a deep gap between the language the students are taught and the language they in fact require. Finally as a simple definition to project work just take into consideration the message that is held in this Chinese proverb.

     I see I forget

     I hear I remember

     I do I understand

   B- The advantages of Project Work:

1. In project work, the students become responsible for their own learning. They select and  devise the project, with the teacher acting as “co – ordinator” and “facililator” or “consultant”.

2. Students are highly motivated, since they are away from routine. They are eager to show their distinction trough a serious follow up. For the students, the motivation comes from within not from without.

3. hrough project work, students can express themselves easily, since their work require social interaction through interviews, questionnaires, etc …

4. According to language, much of the language learning operates through tasks devised by the teacher, to which the students to respond. Students are offered the opportunity, of using the language skills already acquired, in a situation which is new, challenging, and real.

5. Project work improves the capacity for work, since students have an enormous enthusian for work.

C- Organizing a Project

1- Selecting the topic: It is advisable to set a list of suggested topics, taking into consideration the level and the interest that lies within each topic. If the teacher chooses, there won’t be a complete agreement; In such a case individuals can vote. If the class atmosphere is warm enough, the option that  gets the most votes becomes, the basis of the project. Once the topic has been selected, the objectives have to be negotiated with the students. These include all those skills that are involved in the project, (language skills, knowledge of the topic etc…)

2- Creating a general outline of the project: This is an important stage in the project and should be organized accordingly. The teacher establishes the task formally. The whole class participates in the creation of the structure that will serve as the general map of the project. After all, this will be a source of reference for each student or group. A good and effective idea is to start with a process of brainstorming. This process can be drawn as a diagram which shows the first draft for the whole project.

3- Forming Groups: After choosing and outlining the project, the forming of groups comes next to put things into action. The teacher establishes groups which are balanced in terms of skills, taking into consideration, each student’s interest. Another way of grouping is done in a random way using grouping techniques (guessing numbers, selecting card from a pack, matching pictures, etc …)

4-  Each group analyses its own area of work and decides what to do, and how to do it. The teacher can help by providing them check cards. The main task of a group is to report to the whole class, in such a way the group is helping in forming the whole puzzle. The rest of the class take notes in order to link together. The teacher should be a good motivator and supporter to help students establish their task correctly and in a satisfactory way.

CLASS PROJECT

Title ………………………………………….

GROUP WORK

Title ………………………………………….

1. Make a list of the themes and sub-themes you would like to deal  with

2. Make any information you already know to each theme and sub-theme.

Sub-theme

3. Make a list of places where you can find the information you need.

In school

4. Make a list of the language you think you are going to need.

In school

5. Get ready to tell the other groups about your lists.

- Listen to them and see if you have any needs in common.

4- Doing Basic Research around the Topic Collecting Data: The teacher should facilitate the group work by teaching students how to fetch for specific information. A simple check card may be useful.

* Decide what you need to fetch for.

* Make lists.

* Organize questions in logical order .

* Write comments.

* Remember to greet, thank, and say goodbye to the people you live interview.

* Decide how to record the answers.

 The group members come back to the group with their notes, tapes, flow charts, etc … they share their findings, then the whole body of information is restructed and given a certain unity.

5- Reporting to the Class: The class: The class  has reached the stage where they are ready to report back about what they have produced. Reporting back involves sharing what students were doing. This process must be honest, accurate, carefully organized. And well presented in class. Reports in project are mainly oral, but they can also be written. There should be a variety in reporting in order to prevent boredom.

6- Putting  it all Together: At this stage the class has produced a wide range of work. The aim is to join all the classwork into a whole. In order to create a coherent final project certain changes may have to be made. The teacher can monitor and check the process to have an accurate outcome.

7- Presenting the Project: Many questions arise at that final stage such as:

    1- How are we going to do the presentation?

    2- when are we going to do it?

    3-where are we going to do it?

    4- what materials do we need for the presentation?

    5- who are we going to make the presentation to?

 A good deal of organization and preparation is needed to ensure the success of the presentation. The class will have to choose the place of presentation and the type of audience. The presentation itself can take various forms including wall display, slides use of colors, and music.

NOTES: A well –organized school or class party is a good way of giving the class recognition and a reward for their efforts and achievement.  

A Key fit for Education

Project Work : ِA Key Fit for Education

A- What is Project Work:

A project is a large task (macro-task) composed of smaller steps (micro-tasks). Each step is a task in its own  right and, as such, can be expanded or reduced. Every project should have a pre-planned beginning and an end. A project moves through three stages: Beginning in the classroom, moving out into the world, and returning to the classroom.  In few words project work bridges the gap between the theory and the practice, since there’s a deep gap between the language the students are taught and the language they in fact require. Finally as a simple definition to project work just take into consideration the message that is held in this Chinese proverb.

     I see I forget

     I hear I remember

     I do I understand

   B- The advantages of Project Work:

1. In project work, the students become responsible for their own learning. They select and  devise the project, with the teacher acting as “co – ordinator” and “facililator” or “consultant”.

2. Students are highly motivated, since they are away from routine. They are eager to show their distinction trough a serious follow up. For the students, the motivation comes from within not from without.

3. hrough project work, students can express themselves easily, since their work require social interaction through interviews, questionnaires, etc …

4. According to language, much of the language learning operates through tasks devised by the teacher, to which the students to respond. Students are offered the opportunity, of using the language skills already acquired, in a situation which is new, challenging, and real.

5. Project work improves the capacity for work, since students have an enormous enthusian for work.

C- Organizing a Project

1- Selecting the topic: It is advisable to set a list of suggested topics, taking into consideration the level and the interest that lies within each topic. If the teacher chooses, there won’t be a complete agreement; In such a case individuals can vote. If the class atmosphere is warm enough, the option that  gets the most votes becomes, the basis of the project. Once the topic has been selected, the objectives have to be negotiated with the students. These include all those skills that are involved in the project, (language skills, knowledge of the topic etc…)

2- Creating a general outline of the project: This is an important stage in the project and should be organized accordingly. The teacher establishes the task formally. The whole class participates in the creation of the structure that will serve as the general map of the project. After all, this will be a source of reference for each student or group. A good and effective idea is to start with a process of brainstorming. This process can be drawn as a diagram which shows the first draft for the whole project.

3- Forming Groups: After choosing and outlining the project, the forming of groups comes next to put things into action. The teacher establishes groups which are balanced in terms of skills, taking into consideration, each student’s interest. Another way of grouping is done in a random way using grouping techniques (guessing numbers, selecting card from a pack, matching pictures, etc …)

4-  Each group analyses its own area of work and decides what to do, and how to do it. The teacher can help by providing them check cards. The main task of a group is to report to the whole class, in such a way the group is helping in forming the whole puzzle. The rest of the class take notes in order to link together. The teacher should be a good motivator and supporter to help students establish their task correctly and in a satisfactory way.

CLASS PROJECT

Title ………………………………………….

GROUP WORK

Title ………………………………………….

1. Make a list of the themes and sub-themes you would like to deal  with

2. Make any information you already know to each theme and sub-theme.

Sub-theme

3. Make a list of places where you can find the information you need.

In school

4. Make a list of the language you think you are going to need.

In school

5. Get ready to tell the other groups about your lists.

- Listen to them and see if you have any needs in common.

4- Doing Basic Research around the Topic Collecting Data: The teacher should facilitate the group work by teaching students how to fetch for specific information. A simple check card may be useful.

* Decide what you need to fetch for.

* Make lists.

* Organize questions in logical order .

* Write comments.

* Remember to greet, thank, and say goodbye to the people you live interview.

* Decide how to record the answers.

 The group members come back to the group with their notes, tapes, flow charts, etc … they share their findings, then the whole body of information is restructed and given a certain unity.

5- Reporting to the Class: The class: The class  has reached the stage where they are ready to report back about what they have produced. Reporting back involves sharing what students were doing. This process must be honest, accurate, carefully organized. And well presented in class. Reports in project are mainly oral, but they can also be written. There should be a variety in reporting in order to prevent boredom.

6- Putting  it all Together: At this stage the class has produced a wide range of work. The aim is to join all the classwork into a whole. In order to create a coherent final project certain changes may have to be made. The teacher can monitor and check the process to have an accurate outcome.

7- Presenting the Project: Many questions arise at that final stage such as:

    1- How are we going to do the presentation?

    2- when are we going to do it?

    3-where are we going to do it?

    4- what materials do we need for the presentation?

    5- who are we going to make the presentation to?

 A good deal of organization and preparation is needed to ensure the success of the presentation. The class will have to choose the place of presentation and the type of audience. The presentation itself can take various forms including wall display, slides use of colors, and music.

NOTES: A well –organized school or class party is a good way of giving the class recognition and a reward for their efforts and achievement.  

A Key fit for Education

Project Work : ِA Key Fit for Education

A- What is Project Work:

A project is a large task (macro-task) composed of smaller steps (micro-tasks). Each step is a task in its own  right and, as such, can be expanded or reduced. Every project should have a pre-planned beginning and an end. A project moves through three stages: Beginning in the classroom, moving out into the world, and returning to the classroom.  In few words project work bridges the gap between the theory and the practice, since there’s a deep gap between the language the students are taught and the language they in fact require. Finally as a simple definition to project work just take into consideration the message that is held in this Chinese proverb.

     I see I forget

     I hear I remember

     I do I understand

   B- The advantages of Project Work:

1. In project work, the students become responsible for their own learning. They select and  devise the project, with the teacher acting as “co – ordinator” and “facililator” or “consultant”.

2. Students are highly motivated, since they are away from routine. They are eager to show their distinction trough a serious follow up. For the students, the motivation comes from within not from without.

3. hrough project work, students can express themselves easily, since their work require social interaction through interviews, questionnaires, etc …

4. According to language, much of the language learning operates through tasks devised by the teacher, to which the students to respond. Students are offered the opportunity, of using the language skills already acquired, in a situation which is new, challenging, and real.

5. Project work improves the capacity for work, since students have an enormous enthusian for work.

C- Organizing a Project

1- Selecting the topic: It is advisable to set a list of suggested topics, taking into consideration the level and the interest that lies within each topic. If the teacher chooses, there won’t be a complete agreement; In such a case individuals can vote. If the class atmosphere is warm enough, the option that  gets the most votes becomes, the basis of the project. Once the topic has been selected, the objectives have to be negotiated with the students. These include all those skills that are involved in the project, (language skills, knowledge of the topic etc…)

2- Creating a general outline of the project: This is an important stage in the project and should be organized accordingly. The teacher establishes the task formally. The whole class participates in the creation of the structure that will serve as the general map of the project. After all, this will be a source of reference for each student or group. A good and effective idea is to start with a process of brainstorming. This process can be drawn as a diagram which shows the first draft for the whole project.

3- Forming Groups: After choosing and outlining the project, the forming of groups comes next to put things into action. The teacher establishes groups which are balanced in terms of skills, taking into consideration, each student’s interest. Another way of grouping is done in a random way using grouping techniques (guessing numbers, selecting card from a pack, matching pictures, etc …)

4-  Each group analyses its own area of work and decides what to do, and how to do it. The teacher can help by providing them check cards. The main task of a group is to report to the whole class, in such a way the group is helping in forming the whole puzzle. The rest of the class take notes in order to link together. The teacher should be a good motivator and supporter to help students establish their task correctly and in a satisfactory way.

CLASS PROJECT

Title ………………………………………….

GROUP WORK

Title ………………………………………….

1. Make a list of the themes and sub-themes you would like to deal  with

2. Make any information you already know to each theme and sub-theme.

Sub-theme

3. Make a list of places where you can find the information you need.

In school

4. Make a list of the language you think you are going to need.

In school

5. Get ready to tell the other groups about your lists.

- Listen to them and see if you have any needs in common.

4- Doing Basic Research around the Topic Collecting Data: The teacher should facilitate the group work by teaching students how to fetch for specific information. A simple check card may be useful.

* Decide what you need to fetch for.

* Make lists.

* Organize questions in logical order .

* Write comments.

* Remember to greet, thank, and say goodbye to the people you live interview.

* Decide how to record the answers.

 The group members come back to the group with their notes, tapes, flow charts, etc … they share their findings, then the whole body of information is restructed and given a certain unity.

5- Reporting to the Class: The class: The class  has reached the stage where they are ready to report back about what they have produced. Reporting back involves sharing what students were doing. This process must be honest, accurate, carefully organized. And well presented in class. Reports in project are mainly oral, but they can also be written. There should be a variety in reporting in order to prevent boredom.

6- Putting  it all Together: At this stage the class has produced a wide range of work. The aim is to join all the classwork into a whole. In order to create a coherent final project certain changes may have to be made. The teacher can monitor and check the process to have an accurate outcome.

7- Presenting the Project: Many questions arise at that final stage such as:

    1- How are we going to do the presentation?

    2- when are we going to do it?

    3-where are we going to do it?

    4- what materials do we need for the presentation?

    5- who are we going to make the presentation to?

 A good deal of organization and preparation is needed to ensure the success of the presentation. The class will have to choose the place of presentation and the type of audience. The presentation itself can take various forms including wall display, slides use of colors, and music.

NOTES: A well –organized school or class party is a good way of giving the class recognition and a reward for their efforts and achievement.