A Framework for Student Success!

 What is Project-Based Learning?  How is PBL different from traditional approaches to teaching and learning?  Why is PBL appropriate for the intervention classroom?  How are PBL units designed?  How does research support PBL?

 I can explain what Project-Based Learning is and how it works for motivating struggling students.  I can articulate the benefits of a Project-Based Learning approach versus traditional teaching methods.  I can design units around driving questions and projects that are important to students.

 Creating schools for the 21st Century requires less time looking in the rearview mirror and more vision anticipating the road ahead.  Technology enables students, teachers, and administrators to reach out beyond the school building.  Innovative classrooms are not defined by fixed places but by their spirit of curiosity and collaboration among students, teachers, and others in a true learning community.

Developing questions about complex, intriguing, and sometimes mysterious experiences or phenomena seems to be a very natural occurrence. When people encounter strange happenings or difficult concepts and ideas, they naturally formulate questions such as, “What’s going on? Why is this happening? What does this mean? What will happen in the future?” If they decide to answer these questions, they embark on a journey of thought that may take a few minutes, hours, or years.

 Do you have any experience with Project-Based Learning? Think about the quote we just discussed. Quick-write!  In your Reflection Journal, brainstorm and record your thoughts and ideas related to this question: What is Project-Based Learning?

A systematic teaching method that engages students in learning essential knowledge and life-enhancing skills through an extended, student- influenced inquiry process structured around complex, authentic questions and carefully designed products and tasks. --Project Based Learning Online – Buck Institute

 PBL is curriculum-fueled and standards- based.  PBL asks a question or poses a problem that ALL students can answer. Concrete, hands-on experiences come together during project-based learning.  PBL allows students to investigate issues and topics in real-world problems.  PBL fosters abstract, intellectual tasks to explore complex issues.

 As you view this clip, what is the teacher’s role and what is the student’s role in each segment?  T-Chart Activity

Serve as facilitator Model thinking and problem-solving strategies effectively Structure meaningful tasks Work with students to frame worthwhile questions Manage the structure of multiple day-to-day activities to produce high quality outcomes Teach students to set goals

 Set goals  Explore and ask questions  Work well with peers  Stay accountable to self, peers, and teacher for project outcomes

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Guiding Questions:  What is PBL?  Why use PBL in an intervention classroom?

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Increases student motivation and engagement in learning Is more effective that traditional instruction in increasing academic achievement Improves student retention of knowledge over time Improves mastery of 21 st century skills Is especially effective with lower-achieving students Buck Institute

 Question  Plan  Schedule  Monitor  Assess  Evaluate

 Start with the Essential Question.  Take a real-world topic and begin an in-depth investigation.  Make sure it is relevant to your students.

 Plan which content standards will be addressed while answering the question.  Involve students in the questioning, planning, and project-building process.  Teacher and students brainstorm activities that support the inquiry.

 Teacher and students design a timeline for project components.  Set benchmarks.  Keep it simple and age-appropriate.

 Facilitate the process.  Mentor the process.  Utilize rubrics.

 Make the assessment authentic.  Know authentic assessment will require more time and effort from the teacher.  Vary the type of assessment used.

 Take time to reflect individually and as a group.  Share feelings and experiences.  Discuss what worked well.  Discuss what needs change.  Share ideas that will lead to new inquiries, thus new projects.

From Buck Institute Web site

In my life, what is success, and how do I get it? Students will conduct extensive research and self- evaluation in defining success and goal-setting and processes for the future. success, adversity interview, trait survey, overcome inventory perseverance resilience perspective “arena of life” evaluate extensive research Media/mulit-media Justify characteristics 1.What is success? 2.What goals do I have for this school year? High school? Life? 3.What will I need to do/ change to achieve my goals? 4.What skills do I need to develop? Students will create a report on the qualities or traits successful people have to be posted on school website Student will create ppt to be shared with class that includes 1)def. of success; 2) role models; 3) goals; 4)plan of action X X Define Succes s What I know Steps Self assessme nt Success: setting and achieving my goals for life personal professional Outlining the process Identify and examine role models Examples Non- Examples Needed skills and abilities Personal traits What Can I Do

End With a BANG, Not a Whimper! The last day of a project should not be, “OK, turn in your papers and here’s the test. Our next unit begins Monday.” When you begin developing ideas for projects, envision your students presenting their work to an involved audience. The project should end with a sense of pride, excitement, and celebration. PBL Starter Kit p. 30

 I can explain what Project-Based Learning is and how it works for motivating struggling students.  I can plan units around driving questions and projects that are important to students. Imagine life as problem-free. Wouldn’t that be wonderful! Or, would it? In any case, life does not come problem-free because that is the nature of life here on earth, full of challenging opportunities to learn, grow, reflect, and enjoy. This may be the most obvious reason why project-based learning is important for us to consider – PBL engages students in life as we know it, full of fascinating, problematic situations worth thinking about, investigating, and resolving. --from Problem-Based Learning by John Barell (2007)

 online.org/mod1/movies/msatmovie.htm online.org/mod1/movies/msatmovie.htm   