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Project Based Learning

ED 540

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What is Project Based Learning?

Project-based learning hails from a tradition of pedagogy which asserts that students learn best by experiencing and solving real-world problems. According to researchers (Barron & Darling-Hammond, 2008; Thomas, 2000), project-based learning essentially involves the following:

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  • students learning knowledge to tackle realistic problems as they would be solved in the real world
  • increased student control over his or her learning
  • teachers serving as coaches and facilitators of inquiry and reflection
  • students (usually, but not always) working in pairs or groups

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Project Based Learning

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Keys to PBL

A realistic problem or project

  • aligns with students' skills and interests
  • requires learning clearly defined content and skills (e.g. using rubrics, or exemplars from local professionals and students)

Structured group work

  • groups of three to four students, with diverse skill levels and interdependent roles
  • team rewards
  • individual accountability, based on student growth

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Keys to PBL

Multi-faceted assessment

  • multiple opportunities for students to receive feedback and revise their work (e.g., benchmarks, reflective activities)
  • multiple learning outcomes (e.g., problem-solving, content, collaboration)
  • presentations that encourage participation and signal social value (e.g. exhibitions, portfolios, performances, reports)

Participation in a professional learning network

  • collaborating and reflecting upon PBL experiences in the classroom with colleagues
  • courses in inquiry-based teaching methods

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What is Civic Learning?

Civic learning is anything which provides students with the knowledge, skills and values they need to be informed and engaged participants in our democracy.

Research proves the efficacy of the Six Proven Practices in civic learning:

  • Classroom instruction in government, history, law, democracy and economics
  • Discussion of current events and controversial issues
  • Service learning tied to curriculum and instruction
  • Extracurricular activities linked to school, community and local government;
  • Student participation in school governance, and
  • Simulations of democratic processes.

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More resources: http://www.edutopia.org/discussion/14-examples-high-quality-civic-learning-opportunities

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Grading Project Based Learning

Read this article: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/pbl-pilot-matching-traditional-grading-matt-weyers-jen-dole

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Rubric:

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2014/12/project-based-learning-explanation-and.html?utm_source=feedblitz&utm_medium=FeedBlitzRss&utm_campaign=freetech4teachers#.VLr59_ldX_E

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