Promoting Problem-Based Learning for English as a Second Language Learners Monica Lee, Purdue University Amy Carrington, Tuttle Middle School

Agenda Purpose & Background What is Problem-Based Learning (PBL)? The role of technology in PBL Example: A PBL unit in the middle school Advantages of PBL for ESL learners

Purpose of the Presentation To present the potential and the possibilities of PBL at ESL settings through a practical example of PBL at a middle school ESL setting To introduce a web site that will be developed after the completion of the PBL unit as a guiding model for other ESL teachers to design, develop, and facilitate PBL in their classrooms

Background Tech-Know Build (TKB) project Funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Technology Innovation Challenge Grant ( ) Partnership: Crawfordsville School Corporation, Indiana Public Schools, ISPUI, and Purdue University Goal To develop students’ critical-thinking and problem-solving skills To support teachers’ development of student- centered belief and practices

What is Problem-Based Learning (PBL)? A teaching/learning approach that relies on ill-structured problem to provide opportunities for student learning (Ertmer et al, 2004) Two key features An ill-structured problem that reflects real-world complexity Student-centered learning Teacher takes on a facilitator’s role. Learners take ownership of their own learning.

The role of Technology in PBL PBL is a meaningful and effective way to integrate technology into the classroom through the ill-structured problems Technology becomes a critical tool for students ’ information searching, decision- making, and presenting solutions

PBL lesson unit in the Middle School Learning contexts 7 advanced middle school ELL (English Language Learning) students Driving question/problem How to overcome the barrier between the immigrants and the community What do we want to share/teach others about Hispanics in Crawfordsville?

PBL unit: Overall process Introduction of the problem (Nov.15 – 19) Video on ‘immigration’ & sharing ideas Brainstorming (Nov.22 – Dec.17) Using Inspiration Guest speaker Attending other students’ presentation & meeting with the community members Design & development (Jan.4 – Mar.25) Writing articles using MS Word Publishing a newspaper to introduce the project to others using MS Publisher Writing a play script using MS Word Film & edit using MS Movie Maker Final presentation with community members (Mar.29 – 31)

Advantages of PBL for ESL learners Increased amount of language input Authentic and contextualized language use Shift of students’ attention from using accurate forms to meaning Brainstorming Activity

Increased opportunities to negotiate meaning to deliver the message Increased communicative competence Discussion with a guest speaker Advantages of PBL for ESL learners

Brainstorming example (Inspiration)

Project Journal

Project Journal (cont’d)

Newspaper using Publisher

Newspaper using Publisher (cont’d)

Advantages of PBL for ESL learners Increased motivation Increased ownership in learning Increased self-confidence as a learner These advantages may have a strong impact especially for ESL students who could have experienced more failure than success in learning situations

A web site ( will be developed to present the ESL teacher and students’ experiences with PBL, including Guiding question, learning contexts, lesson plan, resources, identified standards, assessment tools Video footage of the process: brainstorming, designing, developing, presentation Examples of student work: project journals, articles, etc. Teacher interview (Pre- and Post-lesson) & students interviews (Post-lesson) Please me if you’d like to receive more information