Project (Problem) -Based Learning (PBL)

1. Project (Problem) -Based Learning (PBL) Friday, May 22, 2009 Pioneer Middle School

2. PBL is a learner-centered educational method: • Students are progressively given more and more responsibility for their own education. • Students become increasingly independent of the teacher for their education.

3. Learner-centered, cont. • Produces independent learners who can continue to learn on their own in life and in their chosen careers. • Teacher provides the educational materials and guidance that facilitate learning

4. PBL is based on real world problems: • Complex problems encountered in the real world as a stimulus for learning. • Integrating and organizing learned information in ways that will ensure its recall and application to future problems. • Problems are designed to challenge learners to develop effective problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

5. PBL is motivating: • Involved in active learning • Work with real problems • What they study is seen as important and relevant. • Students apply what they learn to real-life experiences

6. Essential Learning Assessment Methods • Traditional quizzes and tests: • Paper-and-pencil • Selected-response • Constructed response • Performance tasks and projects: • Complex • Open-ended • Authentic Worth Being Familiar With Important to Know and Do Big Ideas and Enduring Understandings

7. The objectives of PBL is to produce learners who will: • Engage the problems they face in life and career with initiative and enthusiasm. • Problem-solve effectively using an integrated, flexible and usable knowledge base.

8. Objectives, con’t. Employ effective self-directed learning skills. Continuously monitor and assess the adequacy of their knowledge, problem-solving and self-directed learning skills. Collaborate effectively as a member of a group.

9. Videos • http://www.edutopia.org/integrated-studies-introduction-video • http://www.edutopia.org/project-learning-overview-video • http://www.edutopia.org/team-learning • http://www.edutopia.org/clear-view-charter-elementary-school • http://www.flickr.com/groups/reinventingpbl/pool/

10. Teachers report that PBL: • Helps students to both "know" and "do." • Supports students with problem solving, communication, and self-management. • Encourages the development of habits of mind associated with lifelong learning • Integrates curriculum areas, thematic instruction, and community issues.

11. Assesses performance on content and skills using criteria similar to those in the work world • Meets the needs of learners with varying skill levels and learning styles. • Engages and motivates bored or indifferent students.

12. Why is it good for students? • Project learning helps students apply what they learn to real-life experiences and provides an all-around enriching education. • Because project learning is filled with active and engaged learning, it inspires students to obtain a deeper knowledge of the subjects they're studying.

13. Why is it good for students? • Research also indicates that students are more likely to retain the knowledge gained through this approach far more readily than through traditional textbook-centered learning. • In addition, students develop confidence and self-direction as they move through both team-based and independent work.

14. Power of Teamwork • http://www.powerofteamworkmovie.com/

15. Team Discussion Time • At what level does your team operate? Is it time to raise the bar? • Are our objectives aligned with our values? • Does your team capitalize on synergy? What is the evidence? • Is your team ready to take off and reach new levels of success?

17. Rubicon Atlas • Sign in • References • UbD, Unit and Lesson Plans • Alignment Backward Design • GRASPS • Knowledge and Skills • Verbs for Understanding • Blooms’ Taxonomy • Teaching and Learning (file folder tab on left) • Problem-based learning

18. RESOURCES • http://www.edutopia.org/big-list-project-learning • www.pbl.org • http://www.pbli.org/ • http://davidson.k12.nc.us/pbl/k5links.htm#more • Or seach “project based learning” or “problem based learning”