1. Mastering the Curriculum Through Problem-Based Learning
By Minette Finney
MENA, October 2017

2. Session Norms Courtesy Collaborative Be on time
Cell phones on silent, vibrate, or off
Be mindful of side-bar conversations
Focus on the task at hand
Collaborative
Promote a sense of inquiry
Frame meaningful questions
Pay attention of self and others
Assume positive intentions
Be reflective

3. In this session, educators will…..
•Understand how PBL promotes mastery learning •Learn how to achieve mastery of learning by incorporating PBL instruction into their classroom. •Observe the process by working with others to solve problems and to create effective materials that facilitate PBL. •Be able to notice the link between effective PBL and Mastery Learning achievement. •Leave with a plethora of resources to aid immediate classroom implementation.

4. What does it mean to you?

5. Problem Based Learning: An effective instructional practice that leads to mastery of learning across the curriculum.
What comes to mind when you think of :
Instructional Practices?
Problem Based Learning?
Mastering of Learning?
(You may use: Words, sentences, bullets, illustrations, drama, music or other!)

6. Common Misconception…….. Project Based Learning vs Problem Based

7. What do they mean?
Mastery of Learning occurs when students are taught at the level of their proficiency and progress at the rate of their ability.
Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is a student-centered learning strategy that draws upon real world problems to generate learning outcomes that reflect the knowledge, skills and behaviors to demonstrate mastery of the intended learning objective.

8. What is Problem-Based Learning?
It’s an instructional strategy
Student-centered and experimental.
Builds on or challenges student schema/knowledge.
Develops critical and creative thinking = effective problem solvers.
Highly context-specific. It is based on real-life situations.
Promotes collaboration and interdependence.
Increases motivation
Enables them to transfer knowledge to new situations
Leads to mastery of content/concept

9. How it works…. Relevant and meaningful real world problems.
Students learn targeted content in small chunks.
Content and skills are introduced through the process of problem solving.
It allows students to investigate and analyze their schema (what they know), their assumptions, prior learning strategies and facts.
Students understand fundamental concepts before moving on.
Students analyze and evaluate their own problem solving strategies.
All students engage in problem solving not observing.

10. Mastery Learning It’s an instructional strategy
Students move at their own pace.
Learning takes place in small chunks.
Instruction is systematic and intentional.
Occurs at a formative level.
Emphasizes fundamental concepts.
Examines and reflects on results.

11. Blooms Taxonomy of learning
Higher Order Thinking = Mastery
Can students theorize and invent?
Can students assess critically?
Can students recognize relationships & infer?
(Problem solving)
Can students make connections?
Can students restate or explain?
Can student recall?
Lower Order or basic thinking

12. ‘Mastery through Problem based Learning’ Lets review login into and enter the game pin!

13. Questions or Comments?
Mastery through PBL Presentation resources

14. Resources ASCD – Education Leadership – Lessons of Mastery Learning
Education Endowment Foundation
BookWidgets: What is Mastery learning? A different approach to learning
Guskey, T. R. (1980). Mastery learning: Applying the theory. Theory Into Practice, 19(2), 104.
Guskey, T. R. (2007). Closing achievement gaps: Revisiting Benjamin S. Bloom's "learning for mastery". Journal of Advanced Academics, 19(1), 8-31.
Schunk, D. H. (2012). Learning theories: An educational perspective, 6th ed. Boston, MA: Pearson Allyn and Bacon.