Long on activity, short on learning outcomes. Avoid going through with a project if it only catches the attention but falls short of becoming a full project. Also avoid putting time into a project if the outcomes are not learned more than from the references that are already given.
Technology layered over traditional practice. Giving an electronic slideshow is not a project but is just a dressed-up version of a research paper.
Trivial thematic units. Thematic unites are interdisciplinary, collaborative and rigorous at times. A unifying theme can be used for a whole school year.
Overly scripted with many, many steps. Students should be making critical decisions about their project. This method could lead to limited and predictable results. If this happens a new approach to the topic should be sought.
A very important aspect to a good project is flexibility. If a project is not leading to the results that you or your students are looking for then starting over or reevaluating your project may be the best solution. This route should be taken even if you are running out of time.
When desiging the project it is important to get students away from traditional thinking. To engage the students they need to be put in situations that will make them want to ask questions. The roles need to be reversed; instead of the teacher asking the questions, it needs to be the students.
Steps to designing a project:
1. Revisit the framework. Make a final list of learning objectives. Decide on the specific 21st century skills you want to address. Identifiy learning dispositions you want to foster.
2. Establish evidence of understanding.
3. Plan the “vehicle”. This is the project theme or challenge.
4. Plan entrée into the project experience.
I liked the point you made when talking about if a project is overly scripted, the students will already know the expected outcome. By giving them the freedom to run with their project, they discover things that they didn't see in the beginning. Also, making a list of objectives at the very beginning of planning is extremely important. You have to know what you want the students to learn if you are going to have a worthwhile project. Good Job!
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