Write a Great Authentic Task Project-based Learning engages students in projects that allow them to construct their own knowledge and develop authentic products while dealing with real-world issues. In order to challenge students on this level, it is helpful to frame their work with an authentic task. Authentic tasks require students to demonstrate proficiency by applying existing knowledge to solve a real-world problem. Authentic tasks create a bridge between what is learned in the classroom and why this knowledge is important to the world outside of the classroom. Authentic tasks are not meant to replace current classroom practice, but to provide another strategy to meet learning goals and measure student understanding. What does an authentic task look like? Immigration Station In the past four years, your city has had an influx of over 10,000 immigrants. Your task force will make a 15 minute presentation of what needs to be done. Authentic or Real-World Where might they work? Products A lawyer makes an argument.
Curriculum Connection Students create a counting book to build foundation curriculum and technology skills at the beginning of the school year. Working with students in the computer lab can be a challenge, especially at the beginning of the school year. Some students are very good with a mouse, and other have no computer experience. The students learned to drag-and-drop and resize objects, as well as open activity pages. Using Pixie allows me to cover many skills with the kindergarten class; at the end of the project all of the students are proficient with using the mouse, resizing objects, opening new activities and even saving their work! Popular Topics Advertisement Getting Chromebooks? Stay creative with Wixie!
More Than Just a Writing Prompt Using multimedia as a writing prompt can engage students and encourage critical thinking. A few years ago, I heard a presenter at a conference proclaim, “If your students are not participating in meaningful, structured writing time every day, you DON’T have a writing program!” What?!? The comment made a significant impression on me, and though the presenter’s comment was laced with hyperbole, I took the message to heart. We’ve all been there… the complacency zone… where we require students to have a spiral notebook, read a prompt off the board, and write in their journals. “…I tried meeting my students where they already were — in the land of MP3s and YouTube — and my classroom was forever changed.” I decided that I was done with “old-school” journaling that wasn’t making anyone happy or meeting anyone’s needs. I started by using a song from a popular contemporary band. My next experiment was with a photograph. When I did my first round of grading, I noticed two things. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
It’s the Process, Not the Product Steps to implement successful student technology projects The learning that takes place during the process of completing a technology project is just as, if not more, important than the presentation of the final product. As educators, we know that “it’s the process, not the product,” but showing and sharing their final product with the audience is often what engages students the most. Completing successful projects with students follows several basic steps, many of which you probably already use. Step 1: Create Foundations Technology project work does not replace classroom content; rather, it extends your curriculum by helping you assess student understanding as they apply knowledge in new situations. While technology may be a useful tool for helping students learn some of the concepts, do not feel like you need to use technology during the entire project. Step 2: Set Expectations Step 3: Form Teams Remember trying collaborative group work in your classroom? Planning – Steps 4, 5, and 6
Opportunities Abound Capitalize on the talents of special needs students The team of four fifth-grade teachers sat around the table at Applewood Intermediate School planning an upcoming science project. How could their students help the community become better recyclers? “This should be fun,” said Rosa Rodriguez, the project chair. “Something for everyone,” Bob Baxter said. “What do you mean?” “We aren’t leaving anyone out, but I’m not sure how well we’re including our special needs kids,” he replied. “Yes,” Mary Darnella chimed in. “That’s cool,” Chi Wong said. The team looked at her, perplexed. Rosa spoke up. “And we have to abide by their plans - accommodate for some with computers, large print books, and other gizmos and gadgets,” Bob lamented. “And modify programs for others,” Mary added. “Hey, is this glass half full or half empty?” The team again looked at her in silence. “Take Hugo, for instance,” Chi continued. “He’s an incredible artist!” “What about Sally?” “Really well,” Rosa responded. Special Needs
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). Today I'd like to give some tips and ideas on how to get started with PBL in your classroom. 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. Some web resources to get you started:
Math Projects About Project-Based Learning Projects help students personalize their learning and are ideal for gaining key knowledge and understanding of content and answering the question: Where am I ever going to use this?" Among the greatest benefits of project-based learning (PBL) are gains in students' critical-thinking skills and development of their interpersonal and intrapersonal skills. PBL is also an ideal way to help learners gain speaking and presentation skills indentified in the Common Core Standards. PBL in mathematics, particularly when completed in teams, helps learners "model with mathematics" as they "apply the mathematics they know to solve problems arising in everyday life, society, and the workplace," "use tools strategically," and "construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others," as noted in the Common Core Standards (2010) for Mathematical Practice. Finally, projects should include the element of reflection. What do we mean by building 21st century skills? Dr.
9 PBL On-line Resources That Put Students At The Center… Voice, Input, Contribution Welcome to the fifth in a series of PBL Mania Posts . For the last few weeks I am celebrating Project Based Learning. In this post I will introduce you to some outstanding online tools found on the web that will put kids in the center of PBL. In this post I am going to introduce you to some resources that can clearly put students at the center of their own education. Socrative – This is an amazing online tool that promises to engage the class using any device. Remind101 – Now you can manage your class and ongoing PBL projects.Remind101 is a safe/free way for teachers to text message students and stay in touch with parents. Survey Monkey – What a great tool to survey the class to gauge interest, understanding, and provide their input. Poll Everywhere – On the surface, Poll Everywhere is a simple application that works well for live audiences using mobile devices like phones, tablets, and of course computers. Thanks for joining me and for learning about Project Based Learning. Like this:
What is PBL? To help teachers do PBL well, we created a comprehensive, research-based model for PBL — a "gold standard" to help teachers, schools, and organizations to measure, calibrate, and improve their practice. In Gold Standard PBL, projects are focused on student learning goals and include Essential Project Design Elements: