Problem-based learning Problem-based learning (PBL) is an exciting alternative to traditional classroom learning. With PBL, your teacher presents you with a problem, not lectures or assignments or exercises. Since you are not handed "content", your learning becomes active in the sense that you discover and work with content that you determine to be necessary to solve the problem. In PBL, your teacher acts as facilitator and mentor, rather than a source of "solutions." Problem based learning will provide you with opportunities to examine and try out what you know discover what you need to learn develop your people skills for achieving higher performance in teams improve your communications skills state and defend positions with evidence and sound argument become more flexible in processing information and meeting obligations practice skills that you will need after your education A Summary of Problem-Based Learning: This is a simplified model--more detailed models are referenced below. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Upgrade your KWL Chart to the 21st Century One of the take aways from the Curriculum Mapping Institute this past week was that it brought an upgrade to THE trusted KWL (Know, What to Know and Learned) Chart to the forefront. It seems a no brainer…one of those things… “I should have thought about it”… So what is this upgrade all about? An “H” snuck into the Acronym! What does this “H” stand for”? I started out by searching Google, which immediately wanted to correct my search term and showed me the traditional “KWL chart” results. The top search results turned out mostly downloadable files for templates, which was quiet interesting as there were several explanations in these tutorials what the “H” could stand for: HOW can we find the answers to these questions? In direct relation to our quest to bring Information literacy in the 21st century to our teachers and students, the “HOW will we find the information” sticks out right away for me. My Twitter network was much better in helping me extend my search for KWHL. Related 12. 8. 29.
Getting Started with Challenge Based Learning Challenge Based Learning is an engaging multidisciplinary approach to teaching and learning that encourages students to leverage the technology they use in their daily lives to solve real-world problems. Former Michigan Technology Teacher of the Year and Apple Distinguished Educator Andy Losik provides this getting started guide to implementing CBL in your classroom. What does CBL look like in the real world? WZZM13.com story Teach your students the "Path to Innovation" with this great Edheads.org activity: Design a Cellphone. Students learn that in order to be a successful designer, engineer, or a challenge-based learning problem solver then they need to 1)Research 2)Design 3)Test 4)Evaluate their results Set up your classroom physical space.
Criteria for Effective Assessment in Project-Based Learning One of the greatest potentials for PBL is that it calls for authentic assessment. In a well-designed PBL project, the culminating product is presented publicly for a real audience. PBL is also standards-based pedagogy. Oftentimes when I consult and coach teachers in PBL, they ask about the assessment of standards. In addition, teachers need to make sure they are continually assessing throughout a PBL project to ensure their students are getting the content knowledge and skills that they need to complete the project. When designing, use R.A.F.T. as a way to ensure an Authentic Culminating Product R.A.F.T is great teaching strategy that many teachers use in activity-based lessons and assignments. This strategy is a great technique to use when figure out the culminating product for PBL. Target Select Power Standards However, PBL's intent is not to cover, but to get in depth authentic assessments that truly show a student has mastered a few given standards. Next Steps