NECC+2008

Sylvia Martinez, Gary Stager, Andrea Sutherland (Inspiration Software) “Making things is better than being passive” – “Making good things is even better” Elements of a project
 * __Transforming Technology Projects from Good to Great – The Constructivist Consortium__**
 * Purpose
 * Time
 * Personally meaningful
 * Complex, including serendipity
 * Connected domains of knowledge
 * Shareable
 * Access and constructive materials
 * ‘The folks in Reggio Emilia know”

What is our focus - improving teaching? Or improving learning?

Questions worth asking
 * Is the problem solvable w/ more than 1 answer ? (my note - Is it appropriate to the students)
 * Is the project monumental or substantial?
 * Who does the project satisfy?
 * What can they do with that?

A good prompt is worth 1,000 words
 * 1) a good prompt, challenge, prpblem or motivation
 * 2) appropriate materials
 * 3) sufficient time

An artist’s aesthetic
 * Beautiful
 * Thoughtful
 * Personally meaningful
 * Sophisticated
 * Shareable with a respect for the audience
 * Moves you
 * Enduring

Four ways to use materials
 * 1) Teach a specific concept
 * 2) Gears, friction, multiplication of fractions