Technology That Supports Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

In chapter 8 of Reinventing Project-Based Learning, Boss and Krauss focus on the positive aspects of on-line collaboration. While I have considered setting up class wikis for my classes, I do like the idea of creating blogs for the students to use for a variety of purposes. Besides discussions, blogs are excellent means for the students to publish their works.

In chapter 8, Julie Lindsey points out the effects of opening up students’ publishing and collaboration to the public when she states, “They knew that they had many other people, apart from the two classrooms, looking at their progress” (p.130). Essentially, allowing students to open their works to the public validates the authenticity of their writing. The end result is that they take their work more seriously. If the students take the time to truly work hard on their work, they deserve recognition and feedback, as well as the opportunity to pursue scholarly work.

Boss, S., & Krauss, J. (2007). Reinventing project-based learning. Eugene, OR:International Society for Technology in Education.