Restorative Classroom Circles - home And What Do You Mean by Learning? (9780325006390): Seymour Sarason The 8 Elements of Project Based Learning: A Model Project | As most of you know, the uber gods of PBL are BIE. I was first introduced to the BIE PBL ‘model’ from mate Dean Groom who handed me over what I still refer to as my ‘PBL Bible’ – a ring-binder full of the BIE Freebies that help teachers plan effective projects and keep students on track as they move through the different phases of each project. The cool thing is that you can use as much or as little as you want … PBL is a very personal process that (like all good teaching) should be tailored to the expertise and needs of the teacher and students. However, there are 8 Elements of Project Based Learning that can be called the ‘essential elements’ of PBL … keeping an eye on these and ‘testing’ your project design based on them can help you determine if what you’re creating isn’t just a ‘project’. I really like this statement from BIE contrasting PBL and traditional ‘projects’: The Emo Project Here is the project outline that I gave my students: Does the project teach significant content?
Project Based Learning Resources (image from education-world.com) Project Based Learning (PBL) is a great way to teach students content, 21st century skills, and engage them in something fun and educational. I spoke more about PBL in an earlier blog ( and we had some great reader comments (Tech&Learning, May 2009, page 14). First of all, PBL can be used in any classroom, in any subject, at any grade level. PBL does take planning. For instance, I teach physics and developed a project for my classes on structures and stress and strain. Another example of PBL is having the students research a topic and present it to the rest of the class through a multimedia presentation, website, or poster. Start small. Another idea for projects is to look at your school or community and see what they need. An idea I got from my wife (a Biology Education student) is to have students create a lesson for other students about a topic. Some web resources to get you started:
CEM Kickoff: Connected Education In The Education Landscape and Day-To-Day The opening sessions of CEM featured a spectacular lineup of thought leaders and influencers. Even the keynotes were highly interactive and audience-driven–as events about online community should be–and we’re sorry if you weren’t able to attend in person. But we can offer you the next best thing–full recordings of every session, video, audio, audience chat, link-sharing, and everything. Connected Education and Peer Professional Development Panelists: Judi Fusco, Scott McLeod, Howard Rheingold, Tom Whitby; Steve Hargadon moderating Professional Learning in the Learning Profession: 21st Century PD Panelists: Cathy Gassenheimer, Jackie Gerstein, Caren Levine, Stephanie Sandifer, Kathy Shrock, Will Richardson; Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach moderating Knocking On The Door: Connected Education and New Technologies Panelists: Drew Davidson, Chris Dede, Cable Green, John Katzman; Steve Hargadon moderating Kickoff Keynote: Deborah Meier Teacher, Principal, Writer, Advocate. Loading
How to select great topics for PBL in Australia | The Playable Classroom The driving question is always a sticking point for teachers new to PBL. Writing a few powerful words in a sentence or two, powerful enough to charge curiosity and enthusiasm is a skill. This is why great copyrighters get paid vast sums for writing relatively little. The driving question, I always found to be an awkward and misleading term. What PBL is trying to do is drive a topic, not a reply to a philosophic question. I prefer to think about topics. PBL in Australia is significantly different to the US (warning to those gazing at US consultancy networks for the answer) – our and their frameworks are significantly different as is the culture and side of the road we drive on. PBL is better (in Australian contexts) to be thought of as topic based. Not every aspect of the Australian curriculum (or a topic in it) is suitable or needs it! So what is the criteria for topics? Like this: Like Loading...
10 Teaching Practices Every 21st Century Teacher should Do Teaching is not only a job but is a way of life.It is a sublime task one can ever be entrusted with. Teachers educate generations of learners and in their hands lays the faith of any nation. A well developed country is a country whose citizens are well educated and this is done only by effective teaching strategies. Teachers have also their peaks and valleys, happy moments and sad times. Leading a successful teaching job requires a high sense of adaptability, for what used to be a successful teacher in the 20th century is now an outdated teacher in the 21st century. One of the pivotal facts we should keep in mind is that we teach in a different milieu, a digitally focused environment where technology has the lion's share. Are digital skills the only key elements needed for us to be labelled effective teachers ? 1- Maintain good communication skills 2- Getting students engagement There is nothing as challenging as getting students engagement and holding their attention. 3- Use Humour
Forum Kickoff: Professional Learning in the Learning Profession This is a recording of (and related links/resources for) the kick-off of Professional Learning and the Learning Profession, one of the main forums for CEM, covering such questions as: What and where are the best (social) opportunities for educators to work on and learn for their practice in the coming year?What steps should every educator consider taking to become more connected, and what are the key resources that can help?In what kinds of learning do teachers (and other educators) need to be engaged in the 21st century, and how will technology help?What are the key methodological and content trends in the classroom (e.g., flipped classrooms, core standards) with which technology (in general) and communities or networks (specifically) can impact and help? The kick-off consisted of panel and open discussion moderated by Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach. View The Session Need help viewing the program? * Want to continue the discussion, have something you want to say?
In defence of PBL Over the last month or so, I’ve felt increasingly like I’m on the defensive when it comes to project-based learning. I guess the fact that it is starting to become more well-known and teachers outside of the online clique are starting to get interested is turning some people off. No one wants to get caught out supporting a ‘hip’ edu fad, right? But I’m stoked that it’s coming to the attention of more teachers, and even better that it’s coming to the attention of teachers not in the ‘clique’ of online edtech peeps. That means it’s actually going to move from being something people talk about to each other in online spaces, to something that real, working teachers actually do in their classrooms. I am just one parent who has already seen the change that PBL can make to her child’s learning and attitude towards school. So what are some of these criticisms I’m hearing? Like this: Like Loading...
Learning Circles Teacher Guide The Learning Circle Teacher Guide provides a structural approach to promoting cross-classroom collaboration with telecommunications. The first chapter is a condensed version of the whole guide. If you want to understand this model of online teaching and learning, this first chapter is a good place to begin. Learning Circle Introduction The Learning Circle Teacher's Guide is organized around the six phases of Circle interaction: The description of each Learning Circle phase has a similar structure. The narrative of Learning Circles interaction can be read--from beginning to end--by following the links at the book of the each narrative. Learning Circle Phase Structure In describing Learning Circles interaction, there are frequent links to different Learning Circles themes. Learning Circle Themes Computer Chronicles Places and Perspectives Society's Problems Mind Works Energy and the Environment Global Issues To Begin at the beginning
Connected Educator Month