Free Project Based Learning Resources from Edutopia Edutopia, the George Lucas Educational Foundation, is an excellent resource for educators. Their site has a huge variety of resources, tips, and research on education and is accessible for free. They are a big proponent of Project Based Learning (PBL) and also have a lot of resources on best practices in education. Resources include lists of reading materials on PBL, links to schools that are using PBL, Resources from Edutopia on PBL, Resources from Maine on PBL including examples of PBL, lesson plans, assessments for PBL, planning guides for teachers and schools, professional development resources, resources for parents, and links to organizations and other resources on PBL. This is an excellent collection of resources about PBL and how to implement it in your school and classroom. Related: Free Classroom Guides and Downloads for 2011 from Edutopia More free classroom guides for educators from Edutopia Project Based Learning Resources for Educators
Math Projects About Project-Based Learning Projects help students personalize their learning and are ideal for gaining key knowledge and understanding of content and answering the question: Where am I ever going to use this?" Among the greatest benefits of project-based learning (PBL) are gains in students' critical-thinking skills and development of their interpersonal and intrapersonal skills. PBL is also an ideal way to help learners gain speaking and presentation skills indentified in the Common Core Standards. PBL in mathematics, particularly when completed in teams, helps learners "model with mathematics" as they "apply the mathematics they know to solve problems arising in everyday life, society, and the workplace," "use tools strategically," and "construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others," as noted in the Common Core Standards (2010) for Mathematical Practice. Finally, projects should include the element of reflection. What do we mean by building 21st century skills? Dr.
Benefits to Project Based Learning and Technology Integration | Technology Integration - TechnoKids BLOG Technology integration and project based learning are a perfect fit. Teachers can design learning experiences that incorporate the use of the computer to complete motivating projects. For example, an environmental technology project may include the design of an information pamphlet using Microsoft Publisher or a rainforest technology project may include the creation of a eco-tourism travel advertisement using Microsoft PowerPoint. Project based learning offers numerous benefits to students. The 6 most important benefits to project based learning are outlined below: Benefits to Project Based Learning and Technology Integration Benefit 1: Technology Projects are Interdisciplinary An interdisciplinary approach connects learning objectives from two or more academic fields of study. Children collaborating to set the stage as part of a video production technology project. Benefit 2: Technology Projects Encourage Collaboration Benefit 3: Technology Projects Promote Inquiry
Twenty Ideas for Engaging Projects The start of the school year offers an ideal time to introduce students to project-based learning. By starting with engaging projects, you'll grab their interest while establishing a solid foundation of important skills, such as knowing how to conduct research, engage experts, and collaborate with peers. In honor of Edutopia's 20th anniversary, here are 20 project ideas to get learning off to a good start. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. Please tell us about the projects you are planning for this school year.
A Step-by-Step Guide to the Best Projects Manor New Technology High School in Manor, Texas, is a 100 percent project-based learning school. They are part of the New Tech Network of schools and their approach has yielded remarkable results, including a 98 percent graduation rate, with all of their graduates accepted to college. The success of their PBL approach is largely attributable to the fact that their process is designed to stimulate student inquiry. Additionally, their process can be applied to any project in any subject, which means there is a consistent approach across grades and subjects at Manor. We followed a sophomore world studies class through a three-week project called Controlling Factors, created by teaching partners Mary Mobley (English) and Michael Chambers (world history). They designed a project that capitalized on the wild popularity among their students of the best-selling novel The Hunger Games. Here is a breakdown of key steps, with some examples from Mobley and Chambers's project:
Can Six Year Olds Really Demonstrate Their Learning? By Kathy Cassidy This week we finished up another one of our project based learning (PBL) or inquiry-based units in my first grade classroom. It had the grand title of rules, relationships and responsibilities. Why I Let Students Take the Lead in Learning Demonstration At the end of each of our units, I have the students create an artifact that can be posted on their blog to show what each of them has learned about our topic of study. I have never been a big supporter of “tests”, especially in first grade, where the students are usually much more comfortable showing learning in a verbal way rather than a written one. Even as young as six years old, students begin to realize that they are stronger in some areas than others. Some students do like to write. For these reasons, I always let the students chose the way they present their learning. Setting Clear Expectations & Guidelines Promotes Success We also discussed what needed to be included to make a good project.
Opportunities Abound Capitalize on the talents of special needs students The team of four fifth-grade teachers sat around the table at Applewood Intermediate School planning an upcoming science project. How could their students help the community become better recyclers? “This should be fun,” said Rosa Rodriguez, the project chair. “Something for everyone,” Bob Baxter said. “What do you mean?” “We aren’t leaving anyone out, but I’m not sure how well we’re including our special needs kids,” he replied. “Yes,” Mary Darnella chimed in. “That’s cool,” Chi Wong said. The team looked at her, perplexed. Rosa spoke up. “And we have to abide by their plans - accommodate for some with computers, large print books, and other gizmos and gadgets,” Bob lamented. “And modify programs for others,” Mary added. “Hey, is this glass half full or half empty?” The team again looked at her in silence. “Take Hugo, for instance,” Chi continued. “He’s an incredible artist!” “What about Sally?” “Really well,” Rosa responded. Special Needs
Combining 21st Century Skills, Project Based Learning, and iPads <div class="greet_block wpgb_cornered"><div class="greet_text"><div class="greet_image"><a href=" rel="nofollow"><img src=" alt="WP Greet Box icon"/></a></div>Hello there! If you are new here, you might want to <a href=" rel="nofollow"><strong>subscribe to the RSS feed</strong></a> for updates on this topic.<div style="clear:both"></div></div></div> These are my notes from Felix Jacomino and Inge Wassmann‘s breakout session, “Combining 21st Century Skills, Project Based Learning, and iPads” at the 2012 Mobile Learning Conference in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 13, 2012. “The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.” St Stephen’s Episopal Day Schoolwww.sseds.org@SSEDSorg Paradigm shift: 2 ways to deal with the constant of change - fight it - go with it
How to Make Your Classroom a Thinking Space Editor's note: The following is an excerpt from Thinking Through Project-Based Learning: Guiding Deeper Inquiry by Jane Krauss and Suzie Boss. It was published this month by Corwin. Take a moment and imagine a creative work environment. Don't worry about the kind of work going on. Just focus on the space. Was your mental picture anything like either of the workspaces shown in these photos? Photo of High Tech High in San Diego. Photo credit: High Tech High Think back to your mental image of a creative workplace. Fine-Tune the Physical Environment for PBL Birkdale Intermediate School in New Zealand has a long tradition of teaching through inquiry projects. This school has intentionally developed a climate and curriculum to encourage deep thinking, which is reflected by the physical environment. Many schools don't have budgets for this kind of wholesale remodeling. Independent work. Partner and small-group work. Check-ins and seminars-for-some. Reimagine who the stuff belongs to. Color.
Students Redesign Their Own Schools Student-designed school bus shelter. By Chris Thompson Up until a couple of years ago, the Chicago Architecture Foundation’s strategies were pretty ordinary: tours of interesting buildings around Chicago, or publishing a high school architecture textbook. But the foundation staff wanted to do try more interesting, a project that would compel students to really be immersed in the world of architecture and to solve a problem. They came up with DiscoverDesign, challenging students to redesign their schools, one piece at a time. “A teenager doesn’t have much experience in a skyscraper,” says Jen Masengarb, the Foundation’s senior manager for educational research. Working under a teacher, students around the country have begun conceptualizing, redesigning, and ultimately submitting drafts for a variety of school functions: lockers, cafeterias, bike stands – even an entire technology wing. The projects stimulate three essential areas of learning. Related
It’s the Process, Not the Product Steps to implement successful student technology projects The learning that takes place during the process of completing a technology project is just as, if not more, important than the presentation of the final product. As educators, we know that “it’s the process, not the product,” but showing and sharing their final product with the audience is often what engages students the most. Completing successful projects with students follows several basic steps, many of which you probably already use. Step 1: Create Foundations Technology project work does not replace classroom content; rather, it extends your curriculum by helping you assess student understanding as they apply knowledge in new situations. While technology may be a useful tool for helping students learn some of the concepts, do not feel like you need to use technology during the entire project. Step 2: Set Expectations Step 3: Form Teams Remember trying collaborative group work in your classroom? Planning – Steps 4, 5, and 6