Project Based Learning

PBL Resources

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SIX resources to help you continue along the PBL continuum:

#1 Your colleagues!  Here are some PBL bright spots/resources shared at yesterday’s lunch:

#2 Suzie’s ZISPBL site

#3 Buck Institute 

#4 Quest framework for research

#5 Past PBL related posts in Tech Tuesday

#6 &…… add your favorites in the comment section below

 

Beyond the Device Check In

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Screen Shot 2015-12-15 at 1.54.52 PM As we approach winter break it’s time to take stock in our evolution as a 1-to-1 learning environment.  The key here is to focus on learning, not technology.  The beginning of the 2014-15 school year marked the start of cycle three where we shifted gears to think beyond the device toward the elements listed on the left.

You’ve considered failure, taken steps to become more mindful (thx Leslie) w/ and w/o technology, and explored the complicated  lives of our digitally connected students (thx dboyd).  You have looked at IRC student perception data related to organization and communication, thought through why communication fails, earned your GYST badge,  and continued to dig into the very BIG driving question…..How will you continue to evolve your teaching to ensure transformational learning experience for yourself and your students?

The PBL mindset as highlighted by Markham (2015) goes a long way towards supporting transformational student-centered learning. In the new year we will continue to explore our evolution of PBL during lunchtime sessions (see the note in FF to sign up) and with Suzie at the beginning of March here on campus.

 

 

Modern Learning PD Opportunities

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The opportunities listed below are worth checking out as they are inline with our Upper School goals and stage of technology adoption at ZIS:

  1. Connected Educator experiences including book clubs. You’ll find 4 featured book clubs in the community with opportunities to chat with authors and colleagues. That’s pretty special, to be able to sit down with your beverage of choice, at the time of your choosing and engage in conversations with authors who are colleagues and walk the walk of connected learning.Chris Lehmann, Zac Chase, Kathy Cassidy, Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach, and Lani Ritter Hall invite you join them in thinking deeply on important ideas.Joining is easy; select the book you’d like to read; click on the book’s link below; request to join and you’re in!
  2. Learning2 Milan 
    Learning2 is an innovative, engaging and constantly evolving face-to-face conference with a focus on leveraging technology to support learning globally. It is considered to be one of the leading annual technology conferences in the Asia region. From 2016, Learning2 conferences will be held in over four continents.
  3. ASB Unplugged
  4. Become an Innovative Educator Expert 

 

PBL Bright Spots

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It’s been five months since Suzie’s visit and so many PBL bright spots are shining through.   Hats off to Carmenza, Ryan and Paul that are wrapping up innovative projects.  All three of these individuals used technology and a project based approach to transform learning in their classes this past semester!

Ryan and Paul took an idea that sparked back in October with the Sunlight LED and turned it into a model for both process and product of top notch PBL style learning.

process

 

PBL Comprehensive Guide

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Edutopia’s comprehensive PBL guide is worth checking out.  cov-assessingpblguide

Included in the guide is tips on:

  1. Keep It Real with Authentic Products
  2. Don’t Overlook Soft Skills
  3. Learn from Big Thinkers
  4. Use Formative Strategies to Keep Projects on Track
  5. Gather Feedback — Fast
  6. Focus on Teamwork
  7. Track Progress with Digital Tools
  8. Grow Your Audience
  9. Do-It-Yourself Professional Development
  10. Assess Better Together
  11. BONUS TIP: How to Assemble Your PBL Tool Kit

Help Your Students w/ Project Planning and Reflection

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Project planning is often a concept that our students struggle with.  Taking the time to have them flush out specific tasks and a timeline will help them think about this essential step to any task that has multiple steps. Below are three ideas that can help:

 

  1. Try a team task log such as this one from BIE 
  2. Use the 4T’s: tasks, time, team, and tools as a guide (click here to download an example 4T’s planning sheet)
  3. Take time to identify obstacles, know and articulate the objective, know when to stop, offer milestone rewards (if you don’t think this works just talk to Tracy about her use of Jolly Ranchers or Jason D about his scratch and sniff stickers), and finally talk about failure and it’s association with innovation.

jolly ranchers
by ReRin

 

After a project students often have lots of lesson they have learned and great ideas for improvement.  Here are two BIE student reflection sheets that might help:

  1. My Thoughts About the Project
  2. Self Reflection on Project Work