1. Project-Based Learning Penny Williams, Coordinator, Youth Development Patrick Shaw, Staff Development Specialist OCM BOCES Syracuse, NY

2. Task Analysis CONTENT 21 st Century Skills: 4C’s Collaboration Communication Critical Thinking Creativity

3. Video: Buck Institute for Education PBL (6:52 mins)

4. Project Based Learning is a teaching method in which students:  Engage in a rigorous, extended process of inquiry focused on complex, authentic questions and problems  Work as independently from the teacher as possible, and have some degree of “voice and choice”  Demonstrate in-depth understanding of academic knowledge and skills  Build 21 st century skills such as collaboration, critical thinking, creativity and communication  Create high-quality products an performances which are presented to a public audience

5. PBL Misconceptions  PBL is NOT…the dessert, …  PBL is… the main course  PBL is NOT…. a string of activities tied together under a theme, concept, time period, culture…  PBL is….set of learning experiences and tasks that guide students in inquiry toward answering a central question, solving a problem, or meeting a challenge

6. PBL Misconceptions  PBL is NOT: the same as “making something” or hands-on learning” or “doing an activity.”  PBL is…often focused on creating physical artifacts, but not always. It must involve other intellectually challenging tasks and products focused on research, reading, writing, discussion and oral presentation.

7. PBL’s Effectiveness: What Experience Tells Us: Classroom Teachers say….  Can work for all kinds of students, with the right support  Improves students’ motivation to learn  Can be used to teach academic content standards  Can include multiple opportunities to integrate technology  Helps students see how school connects to the outside world by making learning relevant and meaningful  Promotes greater civic participation and global awareness

8. PBL’s Effectiveness: Schools have used PBL effectively in all grades for special purpose:  Career/technical education programs; continuation/alternative high school programs; after-school programs; summer school  Integrating two or more school subjects and encouraging team teaching  Connecting the school to other schools, the community, businesses, and other organizations

9. PBL’s Effectiveness: Researchers have found that a well-designed & well-implemented PBL Can:  Be more effective than traditional instruction in increasing academic achievement  Increase student motivation and engagement in learning  Improve students’ retention of knowledge over time  Improve students’ mastery of 21 st century skills  Be especially effective with lower-achieving students  Increase students’ achievement on state-administered, standardized tests

10. Driving Question Or Challenge Need To Know 21 st Century Skills Feedback & Revision Inquiry & Innovation Student Voice & Choice Publicly Presented Product PBL

11. Why Have a Driving Question?  For Students Guides Project Work Creates interest and/or the Feeling of Challenge Reminds them “Why we’re doing this today”  For Teachers Guides Planning & Reframes Content Standards or Big Ideas Captures & Communicates the Purpose of the Project Initiates and Focuses Inquiry

12. Criteria for Evaluating Your Driving Question: 1. Will my students understand it? (Bonus:…and find it intriguing) 2. Is it open-ended and does it require a complex answer? 3. To answer it, will my students need to learn important content and skills? 4. Does it focus on an authentic issue, problem or challenge? (Bonus:…and create a local context for the project?)

13. Sources of Inspiration  Your Content Standards  Your Community  Your Students  Current Events  Real-World Practice/Problem  Online Project Libraries  Your File Cabinet  Your Colleagues

14. Example Entry Events:  Field Trip  Guest Speaker  Film, Video, Website  Simulation or Activity  Provocative Reading  Startling Statistic  Puzzling Problem  Piece of Real or Mock Correspondence  Song, Poem, Art  Lively discussion

15. Video: Elementary Example Children Pilot Their Own Learning PBL (8:50 mins)

16. Spotlight Projects to Explore:  9 th grade Introductory Science: “Product Comparison”  10 th -11 th grade Algebra II/Trigonometry: “Projectile Motion”  11-12 th grade English and U.S. Government: “Banned in America”  7 th grade Life Science: “A Balancing Act”  11 th grade U.S. History: “American Archetypes”  11 th -12 th grade Information Technology/Business/Arts: “Design and Attract”

17. Video: Closure Student Voice PBL (6:52 mins)

18. Questions & Comments: pwilliams@ocmboces.org pshaw@ocmboces.org

19. Projects: LIMITEDAMBITIOUS Duration 10-15 contact hours40+ contact hours Breadth 1 Subject: Few Standards Interdisciplinary: Several Standards Technology BasicExtensive Setting ClassroomCommunity/World Who’s Involved One Teacher Several Teachers, outside experts, community Audience Classroom Experts, Community, World, web Student Autonomy Teacher-defined; Tightly managed Co-Defined and managed

20. Project Packets  Team Roster  Project Calendar  Rubric & Assessments  Checklist of Requirements  Templates for Contracts, lists, etc.  Presentation/Exhibition Schedule  Resource List

21. 21 st Century Skills Other Skills & Talents Social Factors Academic Skill Level Language Ability Gender Leadership Who Would you Put on a Team?