1. Project Based Learning Professional Learning Community 2011-2012

2. Mission ► Define Project Based Learning (PBL) ► Create a template for developing projects for the classroom ► Increase use of PBL in the classroom across the curriculum

3. Procedure ► Definition  Project ► Supplementary, long term educational assignment necessitating personal initiative undertaken by an individual or group of students (“Project”)  Project Based Learning ► The educational process that involves critical thinking, collaboration, and communication “Project.” Dictionary.com. n.p., Web. 6 Feb. 2012. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/project?s=t

4. Procedure (cont.) ► Survey  Student and Teacher Survey Designed ► Goal  Student knowledge and exposure to PBL  Teacher knowledge and implementation of PBL  Survey implemented in HR ► Results analyzed during PLC meetings ► Template  Group consensus on PBL process and procedure for implementation

5. Student Survey ► Highlights:  Student suggestions / comments: ► More group projects ► More diversity in choice of projects ► Fewer or no projects ► More technological opportunities within each project  Google Docs  PowerPoint  Smartphone  Etc. ► More applicable to real world scenarios ► College preparation and 21 st Century Skills

6. Faculty Survey ► Highlights:  86% of teachers use Project Based Learning opportunities in the classroom ► 45% use PBL up to 25% of the time ► 28% use PBL between 25% - 50% of the time ► 07% use PBL above 50% of the time ► 20% use PBL occasionally  Obstacles to utilizing PBL in the classroom ► Regents Curriculum ► Focus on numbers (pass rate and mastery) ► Lack of student initiative ► Lack of common understanding of PBL

7. Findings & Results ► Analyzed the surveys ► Collaborated on techniques and procedures for creating a project for the classroom ► Developed an Acronym for PROJECT that represents the steps involved in creating a project

8. Acronym ► P lan for project ► R elevant concepts (relationship to standards) ► O bservable skills ► J ustifiable timeframe ► E valuation ► C ollaboration Criteria ► T ermination Procedure

9. Plan for Project ► Define : What is the final outcome/goal?  Examples : Video, Presentation, Letter to editor/representative, Poster/Cartoon, PSA, Skit, Prototype, Data Analysis, Peer Debate, Interpretive Dance

10. Relevant Concepts ► Define: Align with current course content and standards

11. Observable skills and outcomes ► Define: 21 st Century Skills  Examples: Collaborate, Technology

12. Justifiable Timeframe ► Define: Project must cover content in a reasonable amount of time. A series of check points to maintain student focus

13. Evaluation ► Define: An explicit set of predetermined expectations (Rubric) for project outcomes and student learning

14. Collaboration Criteria ► Define: Group size, individual tasks and social contracts

15. Termination Procedure ► Define: Due process, procedure for penalties, removal of individuals, and group disbandment