Project-Based Learning Chester Upland School District 21st Century Community Learning Centers Cohort 6

Success in the 21st Century The old-school model of passively learning facts and reciting them out of context is no longer sufficient to prepare students to survive in today's world.

Success in the 21st Century Solving highly complex problems requires that students have both fundamental skills: Reading, Writing, and Math, and 21st century skills: Teamwork, Problem Solving, Research Gathering, Time Management, Information Synthesizing, and Utilizing High Tech Tools.

Project-based learning By bringing real-life context and technology to the curriculum through a PBL approach, students are encouraged to become independent workers, critical thinkers, and lifelong learners.

Project-based learning PBL is not just a way of learning; it's a way of working together. If students learn to take responsibility for their own learning, they will form the basis for the way they will work with others in their adult lives.

Benefits Decline in Absenteeism Increase in Cooperative Learning Skills Improvement in Student Achievement When technology is used to promote critical thinking and communication, these benefits are enhanced.

Essential question Launches a PBL lesson Must be one that Engage Students Is Open Ended Poses a Problem or a Situation Students can Tackle (knowing that there is no one answer or solution)

essential question Base your question on an authentic situation or topic. What is happening in your classroom? In your community? Select a question about an issue students will believe that, by answering, they are having an impact on. Make it relevant for them.

Questions Everyone Can Answer The teacher or the students pose a guiding, or essential, question: "What is sickle cell anemia, and how is it caused?“ "What would happen if our group formed a business with a real product and started selling stock?" "What will a high school look like in 2050?” "How do bacteria in the soil help support life?" "How can we use DNA barcoding to combat the African bushmeat trade?" (These questions are the basis for projects you can find in www.edutopia.org articles and videos.)

Design a Plan It is essential that you have in mind, which includes the content standards to be addressed. Involve the students in planning; they will feel ownership of the project when they are actively involved in decision making. Select activities that support the question and utilize the curriculum. Integrate as many subjects as possible into the project. Be prepared to delve deeper into new topics and new issues that arise as the students become increasingly involved in the active pursuit of answers.

Create a schedule Design a timeline for project components. Be flexible, but help the students realize that a time will come when they need to finalize their thoughts, findings, and evaluations. Consider these issues when creating a schedule: What time allotment will be given to the project? How many days will be devoted to the project?

PBL In Practice… Allow students to go in new directions, but guide them when they appear to digress from the project. When a group seems to be going in a different direction, ask the students to explain the reasoning behind their actions. They may have an insight to a solution you haven't seen.

Monitor progress To maintain control without preventing students from taking responsibility for their work, follow these steps: Facilitate the process and the love of learning. Teach the students how to work collaboratively. Designate fluid roles for group members. Have students choose their primary roles, but assume responsibility and interactivity for all group roles. Remind them that every part of the process belongs to each individual and needs each student's total involvement. Provide resources and guidance. Assess the process by creating team and project rubrics.

evaluate the Experience Designate a time for reflection of the daily activities (blog; clearances). Allow for individual reflection, such as journaling, as well as group reflection and discussion. To enable effective self-evaluation, follow these steps: 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 questions and new projects.

edutopia http://www.edutopia.org/project-based- learning

Benchmarks (Study Island) www.studyisland.com First Day for EVERY Student

RtII http://www.interventioncentral.org/ http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/