Becoming a PLP learner:

Hello lovely readers, today I will be explaining and reflecting on our first maker project. This project was really enjoyable because I learnt a lot of things about my iPad through learning and thinking about how I can build and strengthen the PLP learning team. 

When we launched into this project, we were told by our teachers that we were going to have to do an exhibition in front of all the PLP grade 8 parents on Wednesday, October 20th. I thought that was a long time to prepare and we could definitely do it by then. It was an exciting goal to work towards. But what were we going to have to present in our time capsule? What did I have to incorporate in my time capsule? Now, since we’ve reached the end of our project, I’ve done several assignments and reflexions to help me be able to answer our driving question: How can I build and strengthen the PLP learning team?

Some of our first assignments were to explore who we are as a person and as a learner. Here are some examples:

 We made a WordPack image with some “I am” statements. We discovered the WordPack app and explored its features. Here is mine:

We also practiced taking photos and editing them with our apple pencils in Photos. This assignment allowed you to be as creative as you want with your photo, as long as it represented one of your “ I am ” statements. Here is mine:

   

Almost every Maker class, we would work on a chapter of our Big Life Journal. Our Big Life Journal was all about exploring your mindset, interests and setting goal staircases to reach your goals. Every chapter was about a different subject and within the chapters there were questions, assignments and a lot of deep thinking involved. I really liked this milestone, because it encouraged me to think about who I want to be and what I could do in the future. The Big Life Journal had many colourful quotes and positive mantras to inspire us too.

Lots of assignments and homework started to pile up as we reached closer and closer to our first PLP exhibition. I was overwhelmed and a bit stressed with everything we had to do. To get everything done, I had to manage my productivity work time in class and at home. I made deadline reminders in an app called “ Things”, and this was really helpful to remind me what I need to get done and by when it had to be done by. 

The exhibition came quicker than I thought, but my table group was prepared. Every table group had to have a common costume or accessory that had a relation to building and strengthening the PLP  learning team. Our team chose decades themed, to represent how we all have different perspectives and ideas, just like every decade had a different input on fashion and trends. We were all in our decades themed outfit and standing at our assigned table in the library. We chose the long table with a whiteboard behind it, to draw a timeline with each of our decades on it. I was the 80s. 

The parents started coming and coming to our stations. Each parent had a piece of blue and a piece of white paper for doing some critique to our presentations. The blue paper was critique from your parent and the white paper was someone else’s parents. I think my presentations went super well. I was prepared and very interactive and social. Since you might not have had the chance to be at the exhibition, I’ve created a video of my Keynote guided tour presentation.

So how can I build an strengthen the PLP learning team?

The exhibition was super fun and there was really nothing to be nervous about. Everyone was very friendly and enjoyed seeing my work. I liked this project because I learnt a lot of new technology skills on my iPad and got to be creative with my work. I can now answer our driving question. I can strengthen the PLP learning team by sharing and contributing my ideas and making sure everyone has a chance to contribute theirs too. I’m a positive influence on my team and focus on the project or assignment we are doing. I like when everyone works hard in our group, so that we can have the maximum success together.