Preparing Our Final PBL Activity

Right away my team and I knew what we wanted to do for our final Project Based Learning Activity for Classroom Computer Applications. Throughout the semester we have been doing a lot of work with the idea that everyone matters. In order to get everyone to believe in that idea it takes kind words. That's it. Yes, it's that simple. In order to get a good start we were able to use our work from the previous PBL activity, and from the podcast we made. We wanted to do something very real, and we definitely wanted it to be relevant for our current classmates. Taking our classmates into consideration, we knew that they would really benefit from the kind words activity we would have them do.

Flickr: cancerhq.org

What do you do when you want to help someone in need, but don't know how? Let's say you're not in a position to donate money, then what? Well, my team has come up with a simple solution. Give your words! For our PBL activity we had our classmates focus on giving their kind words to Leukemia patients. No, most of us don't know someone with Leukemia personally, but we don't need to. Imagine yourself lying in a hospital bed feeling completely helpless, and desperate for someone to tell you everything will work out. Being comforted doesn't always have to come from someone close, but comfort can also come from the kind heart of a stranger. Letting someone know that they matter, and that you're rooting for them could seriously change the mindset of the person in the crisis. You see, humans have this thing called spirit. When our spirit is healthy, our physical needs are more likely to be met. Giving kind words from a generous heart can heal a broken spirit. See where I'm going with this yet? Give your words... They're free!!

We decided to introduce our classmates to a website called Glogster. Glogster is an online poster making site that allows you to include a variety of medium. We couldn't wait to teach our classmates about Glogster and to get them thinking about the value of words. Every word we speak counts, and that is something we wanted to remind our classmates of. It's something that, as adults, we forget about from time to time. We forget how much influence words have. If anything, we wanted our classmates to leave the room feeling the urge to help people by using their words. We wanted them to remember that kind words are gifts, and yes that they can change lives! I think we accomplished this!

To whomever might be reading this, please remember that we were put on this Earth to live happily in unison. We're meant to help each other out, not tear each other down. Words were meant to build up, not destroy. So please, give your words to your loved ones, even to acquaintances and strangers. It might be just what they need. Words are the most encouraging, empowering, and comforting gifts we can give. So please, give give give!!