Learning Plan
For Advanced Learning Option
Ability and inclination to engage students in learning experiences that integrate the local environment and community.
Goals and Outcomes
I can engage my students in learning experiences outside the school that integrate the local environment and community to enrich my students’ learning.
I will practice the targeted skills in this module by . . .
Evaluating my curriculum for opportunities for students to engage in action research on a local topic.
Getting out into my community and documenting places, resources, or even people that would enrich my students education and show them their connection to what they are learning.
Taking my students out of the classroom to gather data on their local research topic.
Watch!
Technology Empowers Student Fieldwork
Fourth-grade students make meaningful contributions to science through the nationwide NatureMapping program.
Establishing Real-World Connections in Projects
Students are more engaged when learning relates directly to the world they live in. See how to extend your projects beyond the classroom walls.
Read!
As you read the following articles, think about what kinds of relevant action fieldwork your students could do in your community.
Recommended Reading
The Power of Place: Authentic Learning through Place-Based Education offers a comprehensive and compelling case for making communities the locus of learning for students of all ages and backgrounds.
This highly recommended and can be purchased at Amazon.com.
Review!
Iceberg Analogy
This illustration may provide you with possible ideas for topics students could research in their community.
Try It!
Task 1: Action Research Fieldwork Options
Have the students plan and engage in an action research unit/project. Possible ideas could be for students to:
Gather data on all the ___of the town to create a community-based inventory on ________.
Identify a problem to research, gather data on, propose possible solutions and share learning with appropriate audience(s) to address the problem.
Gather information on local careers by visiting the local store, community offices, church, council, and washeteria, to find out about the ideal skills and requirements for local jobs.
Students could use technology to gather, record and share their learning for any of the ideas listed above.
Submit an artifact (a sample of student work, a presentation, photographs of students engaged in fieldwork, videos, etc.) to Canvas.
Task 2: Reflection
In your module completion report on Canvas, offer brief reflections on the following prompts:
Give a brief description of the action research unit/project your students completed. What was the learning goal(s) for the project/unit?
Where did you take your students for their fieldwork?
How did students share their research with others?
What changes would you make to this or future action research projects in the future?
What is one idea you have to try in the future that involves taking students outside of school to do fieldwork research?