Delivering a 21 st C. Education The Case for Project-Based Learning

The Need for Fundamental Change. “You can’t just sprinkle 21 st century skills on the 20 th century donut. It requires a fundamental re- conception of what we are doing.” Christopher Dede, Harvard Graduate School of Education.

What Changes? A focus on both core knowledge and the essential capacities An emphasis on depth over breadth The delivery mechanisms The roles of students and teacher A climate of collaboration, risk-taking, and shared learning

PBL Characteristics: High Level of Challenge Real and Relevant Problems Teamwork and Collaboration Multi-Disciplinary Integration and Application of Knowledge Public Presentation Developmentally Appropriate

6 th Grade Writing Project

Senior Project: The Sea Glider

Cross-Cultural Collaboration: 8 th Grade Wolf and Condor Project

11 th Grade Statistics Project: Math, Science, Arts, and Tech Collaboration

Why it works. Student engagement in learning Complex, multi-disciplinary, and real Requires critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, and various forms of complex communication Integrates knowledge across disciplines Encourages student voice and choice Aligns with recent research on cognitive development.

What Students Say: In interviews with approximately 600 graduating seniors, 95% identified an extremely demanding academic project (not class) and/or physical or cultural challenge as their most transformative educational experience. Source: Orvis, current, ongoing research project

9 th Grade Project: The Journal of Advanced Algebra Driving Question: How can you mathematically model an activity you enjoy? Collect and analyze data Graph your findings Develop, if possible, a function to demonstrate the data. Write a paper to explain your methods and demonstrate your findings.

Most preferred ways to learn

What teachers say: “Project-based learning is hard, it’s messy, it leaves you vulnerable, but once you try it, you’ll never go back because the learning is so authentic and profound.” Source: Orvis: A synthesis of comments from 25 teachers interviewed during December, 2010, as part of an ongoing research project.

Resources