Learning by Doing

INVESTMENT
An act of devoting time, effort, or energy to a particular undertaking with the expectation of a worthwhile result.

Demetria r. giles

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PBL

Project-based learning is a curriculum approach to teaching and learning that integrates subject areas and connects rigorous academic work to authentic, real-world problems while prioritizing students’ interests, wonderings and questions about the world around us.

Students gain knowledge and skills by working for sustained periods of time to investigate and respond to an engaging and complex question, problem, or challenge.

I'm wondering...

mega myths

anarchy!!!

PBL = PROJECT

but, my students . . .

PBL must-haves

• Standards (including SEL & EF Skills)
• Student-inspired Problem or Question
• Sustained Inquiry
• Authentic (including Culturally-relevant)
• Student Voice & Choice
• Reflection
• Critique & Revision
• Public Product

what does PBL . . .

PBL Inquiry: Where does food come from? How is food used in different ways?
Pre-K, 9th Bridge School, Downtown Las Vegas

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PBL Inquiry: How can design thinking be used to solve water-related problems around the world?
3rd grade, Ember Charter School, Brooklyn, NY

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21st century learning skills

• Critical thinking
• Creativity
• Collaboration
• Communication

Why pbl?

ACADEMIC BENEFITS

• Retain content longer
• Deeper understanding
• Develop career interests
• Improved critical thinking
• Differentiation for learners at varying academic levels
• Use of tech & presentation tools

Student performance on high-stakes tests is the same or better than students in traditional schools.

Social-emotional reasons

• Increased agency & purpose
• Improved ability to problem-solve & resolve conflict with peers
• More positive attitudes towards learning
• More self-reliance
• Higher attendance rates

Teachers report increased job satisfaction once familiar with PBL instructional practices.

tRADITIONAL education

• Learning is preparation for life
• Teacher-interest
• Rote memorization of facts
• Quick, short-term learning units
• Focuses on covering academic content
• Promotes independent work
• More listening/lecturing; Less doing

Project-based learning

• Student interest
• Research & fact-finding skills
• In-depth investigations
• Focuses on problem-solving skills through academic content
• Encourages collaboration & independent thinking
• Less lecturing; More doing

Traditional

• Knowledge is absorbed through lectures, worksheets, and texts
• "Procedural Knowledge" is isolated to one specific task; disconnected from other areas of learning.
• Intelligence is measured largely on literacy & mathematic abilities.

PBL

• Knowledge is constructed through play/exploration, direct experience, and social interaction
• "Conceptual Knowledge" is transferred to new situations & applied to new contexts
• Intelligence can be demonstrated through the arts, problem-solving ability, emotional intellect, etc.

if students drive the inquiry, how do teachers plan for pbl?!

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I use to think...

Now, I think...

Resources

• Buck Institute for Education/PBL Works
• High Quality PBL
• i3 Institute
• CraftED
• High Tech High (K-12; San Diego)
• Tech4Learning
• EdLeader21 (Ken Kay, keynote speaker)