Students in the 21st century are expected to be prepared for the complexity of the workforce by the time they graduate from college. Unfortunately, many of my students are not even ready for college once they complete high school. Students are learning the skill of memorizing information and answering questions on a test. According to the 2010 IBM study "Capitalizing on Complexity", the most important skill expected of young professionals is creativity. The current model for teaching students in the classroom simply does not prepare our students to meet the challenges they can expect to see in the workforce. 

This year I will be co-teaching 9th grade environmental science as a special education teacher. In order to prepare students for college and beyond, we will be utilizing Project Based Learning in our classroom. "Project Based Learning is a teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to a complex question, problem or challenge" (PBE). Using this method, students drive their own learning and gain important skills like critical thinking, analyzing, revising, and collaborating with others. This model requires technology for students to watch videos, conduct research and collaborate on assignments. 

Many of the students at our school are unable to work on projects of this nature at home. Additionally, we do not always have the same laptops in class. Our solution to these problems is to purchase flash drives for each group of students that they can use to keep their projects with them wherever they go. We will be purchasing 50 flash drives at approximately $4 apiece.

Thank you, 

Ms. Pritchett

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