Ch. 8--Stage 4: APPLYING

Ahh, here is where we see if the students really got out of the lesson what we expected them to. In the Applying stage, students have an opportunity to present what they have learned. The presentation can take any number of forms, including a written report, a slide show, a brochure, an interview, a video recording, or an Internet project. With computers available in most every school, the possibilities for presentation platforms have gone beyond posters and hand-written reports. Students have an opportunity to showcase not only what they have learned, but also their creativity, using various types of technology in the process. In many cases, this gives the lesson more meaning and relevance for the student as well as for his or her audience.

Even though Ms. Jones has assigned a specific project in the Applying stage of her lesson plan, students using the Student Applying Tool will be able to see some of the other presentation ideas that are possible (Jukes, 2004, p. 57-8). Ms. Jones can expose her students to some of those other presentation possibilities in future assignments, and then begin offering students a choice of modes once they understand the expectations of each one.

In my classroom, students are beginning to make project choices for book reports. We have had some issues with what constitutes "quality work," since many of them rush to complete any and all assignments, regardless of format. I believe when students can choose to do something they like or are good at, they will ultimately be more invested in the project. But, I am realizing, like many other skills at this age, pride in one's work and accountability must be taught. Therefore, I am sure to make my expectations clear (lots of rubrics!), and have resigned myself to the fact that for some students there are going to be do-overs before I see the results I am expecting.

References

Jukes, I., Dosaj, A., Macdonald, B. (2000). net.savvy: Building information literacy in the classroom (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press, Inc.