In Week 4 of  my Technology for Teaching and Learning class, we did the Spaghetti & Marshmallow Towers Challenge.  Sounds a little silly, I know, but, it was quite a bit of fun and tons of learning happened!

It leads into the Challenge Based Learning (CBL) unit I do each semester.  I had never tried this approach to introducing CBL before, but it was a powerful class period.  I took pictures, but should have filmed class!!  Lesson learned!  I have to thank and educator friend Dan Schmidt for introducing me to this strategy.

It really pushes groups of 4 students to work as a team and make decisions, as well as, problem solve.  It was amazing that in 5 classes, 8 groups in a class, every tower was completely different.  Pictures taken with my iPhone on Flickr. (it was little tough to take good pictures)

Each group was given a handful of spaghetti & small marshmallows and the challenge was to build the tallest tower.  I probably should have given each group the exact same amount of supplies, but I wanted them to be creative and use their imagination. When finished, the tower  had stand by itself for at least 3 minutes.  But, before they could start building, they had 5 minutes to sketch and plan!!  Some even did a little research on the internet, they did have laptops available, so why not?

After their towers were finished, they were required to plan and record a short team video reflection using Photobooth.  Even though the sketching and building seems a little old school in a technology class, we did get to the technology eventually.  And who says, pencil and paper is not technology.  Although, I do believe that everything does NOT have to be accomplished through the use of computer technology.  Sometimes pencil and paper is more appropriate!!

As the groups worked, it was very interesting to see their interactions with each other.  By the way, they only had 30 minutes to build their tower.

These students are all going to be classroom teachers, both elementary and secondary and the groups were mixed.  Some groups worked extremely well as a team, and quickly found their strengths and weaknesses.  Some groups had  a member that immediately emerged as their leader.  A few groups even had a “boss.”

In addition, the team tower building process was documented through photos they took with Photobooth and at completion, we choose a winning tower. Each group created video reflection, and added the photos they took of the building process and the video reflection to their websites. This was a new learning process as well, adding videos to their website.

First, they uploaded their reflection video to Youtube. I was surprised how many had never uploaded anything to Youtube.  From there, they shared the Youtube link with their team so they could grab the video and add tho their website.

I am looking forward to viewing those reflection videos on their websites. There websites are in the very early stages of course, but they can be accessed from a google doc list.  Websites are being created using either iWeb or WordPress.  Over 50% of my students own their own Mac, so it makes since to use iWeb. The ones that have a windows computer are using WordPress.  Truthfully, it would be easier if everyone was using the same thing……..but trying hard to accommodate!

Unfortunately, I recently learned that  it looks like iWeb is going away.  Grrrrr@#%%^%^%& . There was a hint, when iLife 11 came out and it did not include iWeb. But, I was praying that only meant that they were still updating iWeb. Now it is looking like iWeb will become a thing of the past very soon.   I am so bummed, :(   I personally have multiple websites made using iWeb and it is so dang easy.  I love the drag and drop and the freedom to do whatever I want. I am just not happy about this and having to change to something else for these sites.  Of course this blog is created using WordPress, but my other sites are iWeb.

• My main site, CDK’s Education Technology Place: http://theedtechplace.info/
• My course site, DED 3128 Spring: http://ded318spring2012.cdkedplace.info
• My Getting Started with iPads site: http://pdbycdk.info
• My daughter business site, Above the Barre Dance Academy: http://abovethebarredance.com

I did learn some amazing things about WordPress from Jim Groom last week that makes me believe I will only use WordPress in my class beginning this summer.  But, I personally am not excited at all about having to give up iWeb.  Come on Apple, just update it and make us all happy campers!

Anyway, the student websites are ongoing throughout the semester. Students are adding things each week  and they continue to add to their websites as they progress through other education classes.  The hope is, they have good examples and a nice portfolio web presence to show a potential employer.  In this day and age, teaching  jobs are competitive.  Our students need an edge!!

Next week in class, we will continue our Challenge Based Learning unit.  The next step in the process.  In teams of 4, but not the same teams as this week, they will choose a topic, plan and create. The CBL project culminates with teams making a movie using iMovie.

If you want to learn a little more about CBL, check out the site and the white paper, as well as, the research behind this teaching strategy.