People andGenetics

My Diary

Introduction

Today our teacher told us about the project we are going to work. The idea sounds really interesting to me for various reasons.

First, the fact that it’s a joint project with biology and moreover, it will incorporate the use of IT skills makes the project sound more appealing and thrilling to me.

Second, we will be working in groups and researching and translating our own share of tasks which sounds fun. The project will last for 6 weeks that seemed much time to me but when the teacher told us in details about the workload it looks all right now.

So, we’ve got a big challenge to face and overcome. I’m a bit scared but ready to try.

Week 1

The first week started with discoveries what we knew and what we actually are. We did a KWL chart about genes, genetics and our diseases. I knew some facts actually because we are simultaneously covering the same topic in Biology class right now, but let’s see what we find here in this project.

In addition, our teacher made us fill in a questionnaire about different learner types. I made a real discovery. I got the following results: intrapersonal 4.43; bodily kinesthetic – 4.29; interpersonal- 4. I’ll really try to find out more about this thing.

Next, the teacher divided us according to our intelligences and distributed the tasks accordingly. Also, leaders and experts were appointed in IT and translation, the people who would assist and monitor progress. I’m so proud that I am among these people.

Then, the teacher gave us a rubric for peer assessment for in group work. We looked through the criteria and everyone seems to have a fair chance to show themselves from a better perspective as they know group members will be assessing them. It will really make us work harder.

The teacher added that we have to do translation of Craig Venter biography and upload it on Wikipedia , thus contributing to the site as there is no Georgian version on it. She gave us a rubric for assessing translation to look through.

Week 2

We are working on a video translation What is a Gene? The video is so engaging and simple in explaining complex things. We divided the workload:

I am doing the glossary for others to refer when needed.

Technical expert Mamuka is exploring and experimenting with the software the teacher recommended for recording and dubbing.

The other members Maia, Khatia and Demuri are working on translation.

And then we agreed to meet to bring our work to finish for presentation. We also looked through the video translation assessment rubrics to meet the requirements.

Week 3

At the beginning of the week we did our video presentations and assessed one another’s work.

Then the teacher made us share with the achievements and discoveries we have made for ourselves during the work with one another. That was a great experience as we have other

translations to do ahead and this will certainly help us greatly.

Armed with this knowledge we were ready for the next task one more video Genes are not our Fate On TED TALKS that seems to be an interesting site to follow interesting people talking about their experience and new discoveries. The teacher told us that we even could download it on our smart phones and listen to podcasts. That sounds great!

Week 4

Maia is doing the glossary this time. All the rest trying to translate different parts of the video and biography.

The dubbing process seemed a bit more difficult as the presenter is too fast in some cases and it was difficult to match the events in the video with the speech but we are doing well for now.

The teacher also gave us a self - assessment rubric for group work and we have also noted down what our strengths and weaknesses as group members are.

P.S. I have already downloaded TED TALKS in my smart phone’s podcast and doing the translation even in the street or while riding a bus.

Week 5

Our translations are almost done. They need a final touch. So, we are meeting for bringing them to a finish this evening.

We also have to discuss our PowerPoint presentation and Newsletter. We couldn’t decide which template to use the previous time we met. Also, what information to include. Maia and I am responsible or Newsletter articles. Mamuka and the rest are doing PowerPoint. Hope we will be on time.

Week 6

At the end of this week we had our group presentations of the video, Newsletter and Powerpoint. We had guest teachers of our school present and it was a really emotional day. All the groups had tried to do their best in the project and it was time to show the product. I liked all the group’s presentations but still think that our was the best!

Conclusion

It’s a real pity we have already come to the finish. The project was really fun. I didn’t really think group work could be so productive without teacher’s interference and daily monitoring. But all the rubrics and the stages of the project were well paced except for the last one. We were very pressed for time in the end and the tension and emotions were growing.

Still I have learnt much. It’s a great experience for the future projects that I hope to do very soon.