Rigor+and+Relevance+in+PBL

= Project Based Learning: Creating Rigor and Relevance in the 21st Century =

"There is a profound disconnect between what students are taught and tested on in most high schools today and how they are expected to learn, versus what the world will demand of them as adults and what motivates them to do their best." --- Tony Wagner, The Global Achievement Gap

The Broken Escalator.... @http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47rQkTPWW2I BP Oil Spill Disaster.... http://www.tubechop.com/watch/85055

Please register for an account with BIE: @http://www.bie.org/

What is PBL?


 * "The Main Course" of the unit
 * Engaging in meaningful discovery of an authentic based curriculum
 * Demonstration of learning NOT a memorization of facts!
 * Student-directed
 * The building of 21st Century Skills

What students say about Project Based Learning: @http://www.youtube.com/biepbl

Misconceptions About PBL:


 * I can't cover enough material
 * It's fun, but where's the real learning?
 * There is no individual accountability
 * It takes up too much time!
 * I already do PBL....

The Tools of a Good PBL Unit:


 * ==Begin with the end in mind!==
 * Have an essential/driving question
 * Open-Ended with more than one answer possible
 * Make it Authentic
 * Address the standards
 * Example: "How do we create reliable consumer products?"
 * ==Create Engagement==
 * Get the students excited and engaged
 * Can be a video, a guest speaker, simulation, reading....
 * ==Inquiry==
 * Higher order thinking skills are required - Let's create, not regurgitate!
 * Don't just answer questions - Create new questions and solve problems
 * ==21st Century Skills==
 * Technology to support the project, not be the project
 * Critical thinking, collaboration, and communication are KEY!
 * ==Student driven/Teacher facilitator==
 * Allow for student options
 * Want to encourage independent thinking
 * ==Feedback and Revision Process==
 * Create checks for students and yourself
 * Will lead to higher quality work
 * ==Outside Audience==
 * The teacher and the class are NOT enough!
 * Professionals, peers from around the country and world, lower level grades, etc.

Elementary Example for PBL: Courtyard Project @http://www.youtube.com/biepbl Middle School Example for PBL: Public Art @http://www.youtube.com/biepbl High School Example for PBL: Media Saves the Beach @http://www.youtube.com/biepbl

Project Planning Form : Please download the project planning form from BIE to help get you started in the process of planning your PBL unit. @http://www.bie.org/tools/useful

Reflection:


 * 1) Sharing/Feedback/Revising
 * 2) Please post one question in the BIE forum regarding any Project Based Learning concerns or unanswered specifics that you may have. A variety of categories exists including elementary, research, technology, project management, ELA, Science, Math, Gifted, etc.

@http://www.bie.org/forums